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THE DELTA OF THE 
TRIPLE ELEVENS 



THE HISTORY OF 

BATTERY D, 31 1th FIELD ARTILLERY 

UNITED STATES ARMY. 
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 




By 



WILLIAM ELMER BACHMAN 



Staudaid-Sentini'l Print 
Hazlctou, Fa. 

1920 



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COPYRIGHT 1920 

BY 

WILLIAM ELMER BACHMAN 



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WILLIAM E. BACHMAN 

ARMY RECORD. 

Inducted into service at Hazleton, Penna., November ist, 1917. 
Sent to Camp Meade, Md.. November 2nd, 1917, and assigned as 
Private to Battery D, 311th Field xA.rtillery. Received rank of Private 
First Class. February 4th, 19 18. Placed on detached service, May 
i8th, 1918, and assigned as Battery Clerk. First Provisional Battery, 
Fourth Officers' Training School, Camp Meade. Rejoined Battery D 
June 27th, 1918, and accompanied outfit to France. Assigned to attend 
Camouflage School at Camp La Courtine, September 30th, 1918, and 
cjualified as artillery camoufl?ger. On October 3rd, 1918, was regis- 
tered, through Major A. L. James, Jr., Chief G-2-D, G. H. Q.. A. E. F., 
with the American Press Section, 10 Rue St. Anne, Paris, which regis- 
tration carried grant to write for publication in the United States. 
Remained with battery until March 7th. 1919, when selected to attend 
the A. E. F. University, at Beaune, Cote D'Or. Rejoined battery at 
St. Nazaire May ist, 1919. Discharged at Camp Dix, N. J., June 4th, 
1919. 



FOREWORD. 



"You're in the Army now." 

"So this is France !" 

Oft I heard these phrases repeated as more and more the reahza- 
tion dawned, first at Camp Meade, Md., and later overseas, that war 
seemed mostly drudgery with only the personal satisfaction of doing 
one's duty and that Sunny France was rainy most of the time. 

The memory of Battery D, 311th U. S. F. A., will never fade in 
utter oblivion in the minds of its members. 'Tis a strange fancy of 
nature, however, gradually to forget many of the associations and 
circumstances of sombre hue as the silver linings appear in our respec- 
tive clouds of life in greater radiance as each day finds us drifting 
farther from ties of camp life. 

Soldiers, who once enjoyed the comradeship of camp life, where 
they made many acquaintances and mayhap friends, are now scattered 
in all walks of civilian life. While their minds are yet alive with facts 
and figures, time always effaces concrete absorptions. The time will 
come when a printed record of Battery D will be a joyous reminder. 

With these facts in mind I have endeavored to set forth a history 
of the events of the battery and the names and addresses of those who 
belonged. 

The records are true to fact and figure, being compilations of my 
diaries, note-books and address album, all verified with utmost care 
before publication. 

In future years when the ex-service men and their friends glance 
over this volume, if a moment of pleasant reminiscence is added, this 
book will have fully served its purpose. 

William Elmer Bachman, 
1920. Hazleton, Penna. 



PREFATORY NOTE. 



An effort has been made in this vokmie to state as concisely and 
clearly as possible the main events connected with the History of 
Battery D. 

To recount in print every specific incident connected with the life 
of the organization, or to attempt a military biographical sketch of 
every battery member, would require many volumes. 

My soldier-comrade readers will, no doubt, recall many instances 
which could have been included in this volume with marked appro- 
priateness. 

The selection of the material, however, has been with utmost con- 
sideration and for the expressed purpose of having the complete 
narrative give the non-military reader a general view of the conditions 
and experiences that fell to the lot of the average unit in the United 
States Army in service in this country and overseas. 

Grateful acknowledgment is due to those who aided in the verifica- 
tion of all material used. Many of the battery members made sugges- 
tions that have been embodied in the text. 

To A. Ernest Shafer, D. C, and Conrad A. Balliet, of Hazleton, 
l^enna., belongs credit for information supplied covering periods 
when the author was on detached service from the battery. To Dr. 
Shafer acknowledgment is also due for the use of photographs from 
which a number of the illustrations have been reproduced. 

From Prof. Fred H. Bachman, C. A. C, of Hazleton, Penna., 
who read over the manuscript, many valuable suggestions were received. 

w. E. B. 
Hazleton, Penna., 1920. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



CPIAPTER I. 

SOURCES OF THE DELTA Page 13 

World Events — The Nucleus — Declaration of War. 
U. S. Joins — Selective Service Plans 

CHAPTER II. 

A CAMP BELCHED FORTH Page 15 

Selection of Camp Meade Site — Cantonment Con- 
struction — Building Progresses — Home Leaving 
Preparations. 

CHAPTER III. 

'■YOU'RE IN THE ARMY NOW" Page 19 

Officers at Fort Niagara — Assignment of Officers — 
Barrack 019 — New Soldiers Arrive. 

CHAPTER IV. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS Page 23 

Description of Barracks — A Day's Routine — Getting 
Catalogued — Inoculations and Drills — Soldiers 
Arrive and Leave. 

CHAPTER V. 

LEARNING TO BE A SOLDIER Page 27 

First Non-Commissioned Personnel — Efifects of 
Transfers — Schools — Hikes — Athletics — Idle 
Hours. 

CHAPTER VI. 

FLEETING HOURS OF LEAVE Page 30 

Holiday Season Approaches — Thanksgiving Feast — 
Practice Marches — Barrack o 103 — Christmas 
1917. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Yv^ELL GROOMED BY DETAIL Page 33 

Stable Police — Inspections — Staff Changes. 



9 

CHAPTER VIII. 

BATTERY PROGRESS Page 36 

Formal Retreat — Quarantine — Celebration — Rumors, 
Baltimore Parade — West Elkridge Hike. 

CHAPTER IX. 

FAREWELL TO CAMP MEADE Page 40 

Getting Ready — Advance Detail — Departure. 

CHAPTER X. 

ABOARD THE S. S. MORVADA Page 44 

Set-Sailing — Coastland Appears — Halifax Harbor — 
Convoy Assembles. 

CHAPTER XI. 

DODGING SUBMARINES Page 48 

Ocean journey Starts — Transport Life — Sub Scares. 
Destroyers Delayed — Battle With Subs. 

CHAPTER XII. 

A ROYAL WELSH RECEPTION Page 54 

Barry, South Wales — Parade — His Majesty's Letter. 
English Rail Journey. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

A BRITISH REST CAMP Page 58 

Crowded Tenting — English Mess — A Rainy Hike. 
Off for Southampton — Flight Across the Channel. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

"SO THIS IS FRANCE!" Page 63 

Cherbourg — A Battery Bath — Side-Door Pullmans. 
Montmorillon. 

CHAPTER XV. 

WHITE TROOPS INVADE MONTMORILLON Page 68 

Racial Difficulties — French Billets — Impressions. 
The Gartempe. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

ACTIVE TRAINING AT LA COURTINE Page 75 

To La Courtine — PTench Artillery Camp — Russian 
Revolt — Life on the Range — Sickness — Casual- 
ties. 



10 

CHAPTER XVII. 

NOVEMBER nth AT LA COURTINE Page 82 

November 7th — November nth — Celebration — Fare- 
well Banquet — Ville Sous La Ferte — Fuel 
Details — Delayed Departure. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

MUD AND BLANCHEVILLE Page 89 

Mud and Rats — Historic Monteclair — Thanksgiving 
1918 — Candle Mystery — Sick Horses Arrive. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

AN ADVENTUROUS CONVOY Page 93 

Belgain Trip Proposed — 100 Volunteers — Remount 
13 — Convoying Mules — Christmas 1918. 

CHAPTER XX. 

ON THE ROAD TO BENOITE VAUX Page 100 

Anxious to join Division — First Service Stripe — A. 
E. F. Leave Centers — Mounted Hikes — Overland 
to Benoite Vaux. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

WAR ORPHANS AND HORSE SHOWS Page 104 

Two Battery Mascots — Battalion and Regimental 
Shows — Division and Corps Shows — More Per- 
sonnel Changes — Maneuvres — More Sickness and 
Casualties. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

HOMEWARD BOUND Page 1 1 1 

Boncourt — Cirey les Mareilles — Divisional Review. 
Camp Montoir — St. Nazaire — Edward Lvicken- 
bach — New York — Camp Dix — Home. 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE LORRAINE CROSS Page 1 18 

Story of the Seventy-Ninth Divisional Insignia. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

BATTERY D HONOR ROLL Page 123 

Names of Those Who Died and Graves Where 
Buried. 



u 

CHAPTER XXV. 

"ONE OF US" Page 125 

Tribute to Private First Class Joseph A. Loughran. 

CHAI'TER XXVI. 

IN MEMORIAM Page 127 

In Memory of Departed Comrades. 

CHArTER XXVII. 

FIRST BATTERY D STAFF Page 128 

First Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Per- 
sonnel. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

BATTERY D OFFICERS Page 130 

Complete List of Officers Associated With the 
Battery. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

ROSTER OF BATTERY D Page 131 

List of Names That Comprised the Sailing List of 
the U. S. S. Edward Luckenbach. 

CHAPTER XXX. 

RECORD OF BATTERY TRANSFERS Page 135 

Those Who Gained Commissions — List of Men 
Transferred to Other Organizations. 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

PERSONALITIES Page 140 

A Few Batterry Reflections. 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

A FEW GENERAL ORDERS Page 142 

Messages From Several of the Officers. 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

MEMORABLE DATES Page 144 

Calendar of Battery's Eventful Dates. 



LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHIC REPRODUCTIONS. 



Page 

Group Photo of Battery D 3 

William Elmer Bachman 5 

Albert h. Smith 18 

David A. Reed 22 

Perry E. Hall 39 

Sidney F. Bennett 39 

C. D. Bailey 39 

Frank J. Hamilton 3Q 

Third Class French Coach 57 

Side-Door Pullman Sjiecial 57 

interior of French Box Car 57 

A Real American Special 57 

I\Tontmorillon Station 67 

Montmorillon Street Scene 67 

Entrance to Camp La Courtine. . 81 

American Y. M. C. A. at Camp La Courtine 81 

A Battery D Kitchen Crew 88 

Group of Battery D Sergeants 88 

Battery D on the Road 99 

Aboard The Edward Luckenbach 99 

At Bush Terminal 99 

Serving Battery Mess Along the Road no 

Battery D on the Road no 

Lorraine Cross 117 

Joseph A. Loughran 124 

Cemetery at La Courtine 124 

Horace J. Fardon 129 

Grave of William Reynolds '. 129 

Barrack at Camp La Courtine 129 



CHAPTER I. 

SOURCES OF THE DELTA. 

Official records in the archives of the War Department at 
Washington will preserve for future posterity the record of Battery 
D. of the 311th United States Field Artillery. 

In those records there is written deep and indelibly the date of 
May 30th, 1919, as the date of Battery D's official demobilization. 
The history of Battery D, therefore, can be definitely terminated, but 
a more difficult task is presented in establishing a point of inception. 

The development of Battery D was gradual — like a tiny stream, 
flowing on in its course, converging with the 311th Regimental, 154th 
Brigade, and 79th Division tides until it reached the sea of war- 
tossed Europe ; there to flow and ebb ; finally to lose its identity in 
the ocean of official discharge. 

The Egyptians of old traversed the course of their river Nile, 
from its indefinite sources along the water-sheds of its plateaux and 
mountains, and, upon arriving at its mouth they found a tract of land 
enclosed by the diverging branches of the river's mouth and the 
Mediterranean seacoast, and traversed by other branches of the river. 
This triangular tract represented the Greek letter _, "Delta," a word 
which civilization later adopted as a coinage of adequate description. 

Fine silt, brought down in suspension by a muddy river and 
deposited to form the Delta when the river reaches the sea, ac- 
cumulates from many sources. 

In similar light the silt of circumstances that resulted in the 
formation of the Delta of the Triple Elevens, accumulated from many 
sources, the very nucleus transpiring on June 28, 1914, when the 
heir to the Austrian throne, the archduke of Austria, and his wife, 
Vi^ere assassinated at Sarajevo, in the Austrian province of Bosnia, 
by a Serbian student. 

Austria immediately demanded reparation from Serbia. Serbia 
declared herself willing to accede to all of Austria's demands, but 
refused to sacrifice her national honor. Austria thereby took the 
pretext to renew a quarrel that had been going on for centuries. 

Long diplomatic discussions resulted — culminating on July 28, 
1914, with a declaration of war by Austria against Serbia. This, so 
to speak, opened the flood-gates, letting loose the mighty river of blood 
and slaughter that flowed over all Europe. 



14 THE DELTA OE THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

The days that followed added new sensations and thrills to every 
life. The river of war flowed nearer our own peaceful shores as the 
days passed and the news dispatches brought us the intelligence of 
Germany's declaration of relentless submarine warfare and the sub- 
sequent announcement of the United States' diplomatic break with 
Germany. 

Momentum was gained as reports of disaster and wilful acts 
followed with increasing rapidity. The sinking of American vessels 
disclosed a ruthlessness of method that was gravely condemned in 
President Wilson's message of armed-neutrality, only to be followed 
by acts of more wilful import — finally evoking the proclamation, 
April 6. 1917. declaring a state of war in existence between the United 
States and the Imperial German government. 

Clear and loud war's alarm rang throughout the United States. 
All activity centered in the selection of a vast army to aid in the great 
fight for democracy. Plans were promulgated with decision and 
preciseness. On June 5th, kjI", ten millions of Americans between 
the ages of 21 and 31 years, among the number being several hundred 
who were later to become associated with Battery D, of the 3iitli F. 
A., registered for military service. 

The war department issued an order, July 13, 1917, calling into 
military service 678,000 men, to be selected from the number who 
registered on June 5th. Days of conjecture followed. Who would 
be called first ? 

July 2Cth brought forth the greatest lottery of all time. The 
drawing of number 258 by Secretary of War Newton D. Baker 
started the list of selective drawings to determine the order of eligi- 
bility of the young men in the 4,557 selective districts in the United 
States. 

War's preparations moved rapidly. Selective ser\-ice boards, 
with due deliberation, made ready for the organization of the selective 
contingents. While the boards toiled and the eligible young men went 
through the process of examination, resulting in acceptance or rejec- 
tion, officials of the war department were planning the camps. 

Battery D and the 311th Field Artillery were in the stages of 
organization but plans of military housing had to mature before the 
young men who were to form the organization, could be inducted into 
service, thereby l)ringing to official light The Delta of the Triple 
Elevens. 



CHAPTER II. 

A CAMP BELCHED FORTH. 

On that eventful day in 19 14, when the war clouds broke over 
Europe, the farmers of Anne Arundel county. Maryland, in the then 
peaceful land of the United States, toiled with their ploughshares 
under the glisten of the bright sun ; content with their lot of produc- 
ing more than half of the tomato crop of the country; content to har- 
\est their abundant crops of strawberries and cucumbers and corn, 
to say nothing of the wonderful orchards of apples and pears, and not 
forgetting the wild vegetation of sweet potatoes. 

The peaceful, pastoral life in the heart of Maryland, howe\er, 
was destined to be disturbed. A vast American army was needed 
and the vast army, then in the process of organization, needed an 
abode for training. Battery D and the 311th Field Artillery was 
organized on paper soon after the call for 678.000 selected service 
men was decided upon. The personnel of the new organization was 
being determined by the selective service boards. Officers to com- 
mand the organization were under intensive instruction at Fort Nia- 
gara. New York. All that was needed to bring the organization into 
official military being was a point of concentration. 

The task of locating sites for the sixteen army cantonments, 
decreed to birth throughout the United States, presented many diffi- 
culties. What could be more natural, however, than the fertile farm 
lands of Anne Arundel county, almost within shadow of the National 
Capital, to be selected as the site of a cantonment to be named after 
General George Gordon Meade? 

Territory in the immediate vicinity of Admiral and Disney was 
the ideal selection ; ideal because the territory is only eighteen miles 
from Baltimore, the metropolis of the South ; one hundred miles from 
Philadelphia, the principal city of the State which was to furnish most 
of the recruits ; and twenty-two miles from Washington, the Capital 
of the Nation. 

Situated between the heart of the South and the heart of the 
Nation, Camp Meade is easily accessible by rail. Ease of access 
through mail-line facilities, was a necessity for transportation of 
building materials and supplies before and during construction. The 
same facilities furnished the transportation for the large bodies of 
troops that were sent to and from the camp ; alsO' assured the canton- 
ment its daily supply of rations. 



l6 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

Admiral Junction furnished adequate railroad yard for the camp. 
The Baltimore and Ohio railroad station is at Disney, about one-half 
mile west of Admiral ; while the Pennsylvania Railroad junction on 
the main line between Baltimore and Washington is at Odenton, about 
one and one-half miles east of Admiral. Naval Academy Junction is 
near Odenton and is the changing point on the electric line between 
the two chief cities. The magic-like upbuild of the cantonment, more- 
over, was the signal for the extension of the electric line to encircle 
the very center of the big military city, thus adding an additional 
link of convenience. 

Camp Meade having been officially decided upon as the home of 
the 79th Division, a sanitary engineer, a towm planner, and an army 
officer, representing the commanding general, were named to meet on 
the ground, where they inspected the location, estimated its difficulties, 
and then proceeded to make a survey in the quickest way possible, 
calling upon local engineers for assistance and asking for several 
railroad engineering corps. 

The town-planner, or landscape architect, then drew the plans for 
the cantonment, laying it out to conform with the topography of the 
location and taking into consideration railroad trackage, roads, drain- 
age, and the like. Given the site it was the job of the town-planner 
to distribute the necessary buildings and grounds of a typical canton- 
ment as shown in type plans. 

The general design for the camp was prepared by Harlan P. 
Kelsey, of "city beautiful" fame, who was one of the experts called 
on by the war department to aid the government in the emergency of 
preparing for w'ar. 

After the town-planner came Major Ralph F. Proctor, of Balti- 
more, Md., who on July 2nd, 1917, as constructing quartermaster, 
took charge of the task of building the cantonment. Standing on the 
porch of a little frame-house situated on a knoll, set in the midst of a 
pine forest. Major Proctor gave the order that set saw and axe in 
motion ; saws and axes manned by fifteen thousand workmen, con- 
secrated to the task of throwing up a war-time city in record time. 

Chips flew high and trees were felled and soon the knoll belched 
forth a group of buildings, fringed by the pine of the forest — to be 
dedicated as divisional headquarters — around which, with speed 
none-the-less magic-like, land encircling was cleared and buildings and 
parade grounds sprang up in quick succession. 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS ' 1/ 

The dawn of September month saw over one thousand wooden 
barracks erected on the ground, most of which were spacious 
enough to provide sleeping quarters for about two hundred and fifty 
men ; also hundreds of other buildings ready to be occupied for ad- 
ministrative purposes. 

While workmen of all trades diligently plied their hands to the 
work of constructing the cantonment, hundreds of young men were 
getting ready to leave their homes on September 5th, as the van-guard 
of the 40,000 who were in the course of time to report to Camp Meade 
for military duty. The cantonment, however, was not fully prepared 
to receive them and while the first contingent of Battery D men were 
inducted into service on September 5th, the cantonment was not deemed 
sufficiently ready to receive them until almost two weeks later. 




CAPT. ALBERT L. SMITH 



ARMY RECORD. 



Discharged from the National Guard of Pennsylvania, First 
Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry, after seven years of service, to 
enter First Officers' Training Camp at Camp Niagara, N. Y., May 8th, 
191 7. Commissioned Captain, Field Artillery Reserve, August 15th, 
1917, and ordered to report to Camp Meade, Md., August 29th, 1917. 
Placed in command of Battery D, 311th Field Artillery. Accom- 
panied battery to France and remained w^ith outfit until ordered to 
Paris on temporary duty in the Inspector General's Department, Feb- 
ruary, 1919. Rejoined regiment to become Regimental Adjutant May 
6th, 1919. Discharged at Camp Dix, N. ]., May 30th, 1919. 



CHAPTER III. 

YOU'RE IN THE ARMY NOW. 

At Fort Niagara, situated on the bleak shores of the River Niag- 
ara, New York State, the nucleus of the first commissioned personnel 
of Battery D assembled, after enlistment, during the month of May, 
1917, and began a course of intensive training at the First Officers' 
Training School, finally to be commissioned on August 15th in the 
Field Artillery Reserve. 

(Jn August 13th, pursuant to authority contained in a telegram 
from the Adjutant General of the Army, a detachment of the Reserve 
Officers from the Second Battery at Fort Niagara were ordered to 
active duty with the New National Army, proceeding to and report- 
ing in person not later than August 29th to the Commanding General, 
Camp Meade, for duty. 

A day's brief span after their arrival at Camp Meade — while 
the officers, who were the first of the new army vmits on the scene of 
training, were busily engaged in dragging their brand new camp 
paraphernalia over the hot sands of July-time Meade, — the dirt and 
sand mingling freely with the perspiration occasioned by the broiling 
sun, — to their first assigned barracks in B block, an order arrived on 
August 30th, assigning the officers to the various batteries, headquar- 
ters, supply company, or regimental staff of the 311th Field Artillery, 
that was to be housed in O block of the cantonment. 

Captain Albert L. Smith, of Philadelphia, Pa., was placed in com- 
mand of Battery D. Other assignments to Battery D included : First 
Lieutenant Arthur H. McGill, of New Castle, Pa.; Second Lieuten- 
ant Hugh M. Clarke, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Second Lieutenant Robert S. 
Campbell, of Pittsburgh, Pa. ; Second Lieutenant Frank F. Yeager, 
of Philadelphia, Pa. ; Second Lieutenant Frank J. Hamilton, of Phila- 
delphia. Pa. ; Second Lieutenant Berkley Courtney, of Fullerton, Md. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles G. Mortimer was placed in command 
of the regiment on August 28, 1917. He remained in command until 
January 17, 1918, when Colonel Raymond W. Briggs was assigned as 
regimental commander. Both are old army men and were well trained 
for the post of command. On March 31st, Col. Briggs, who had been 
in France and returned to take command of the 311th, was again 
relieved of command, being transferred to another outfit to prepare 
for overseas duty a second time. Lieut. Col. Mortimer had charge 



20 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

until June loth, 1918. when he was promoted to Colonel, remaining in 
command until the regiment was mustered out of service. 

Major David A. Reed, of Pittsburgh, Pa., was placed in com- 
mand of the 2nd Battalion of the 311th at organization and remained 
with the outfit until put on detached service in France after the sign- 
ing of the armistice. Major Herbert B. Hayden, a West Point cadet, 
was assigned to the command of the ist Battalion of the regiment. 
When time to depart for overseas came he was promoted to Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel of the regiment. Capt. Wood, of Battery A, was made 
Major of the ist Battalion and First-Lieut. Arthur McGill, of Battery 
D, was placed in command of Battery A. Later he was given the 
rank of captain. 

Major-General Joseph E. Kuhn was commanding officer of the 
79th Division and Brigadier General Andrew Hero, jr., commanded 
the 154th Field Artillery Brigade. 

"O" block, in the plan of Camp ]\Ieade, was designated as the 
training center of the 311th Field Artillery and barrack No. 19 was 
the shelter selected for Battery D. 

Barrack 019 was situated in a small glade of trees which fringed 
the edge of the horse-shoe curve that the general plan of cantonment 
construction assumed. The spurs of the great horse-shoe were at 
Disney and Admiral. The blocks of regimental areas starting at 
Disney, designated by A block, followed the horse-shoe, encircling at 
the base hospital in alphabetical designation. "N" and "O" blocks 
nestled in a glade of trees, partially sheltered by the Southern sun, 
just around the bend in the curve of the road from the base-hospital. 
"Y" block formed the other end of the spur at Admiral — while divi- 
sional headquarters rested on the knoll in the center of the horse- 
shoe. 

It was at "O" block the newly assigned officers established them- 
selves and made ready to receive the first influx of the selected per- 
sonnel. Blankets and cots and barrels and cans and kitchen utensils 
began to arrive by the truck load and the officers in feverish haste 
divided the blankets, put up as many cots as they could, and estab- 
lished some semblance of order in the mess hall. They were pegging 
diligently at their tasks when the first troop trains pulled in at Disney 
on September 19th and unloaded the first detachment of future 
soldiers. 

Scenes of home-leaving and farewells to the home-folks and loved 
ones, which first transpired on September 19th, to be repeated with 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 21 

similarity as subsequent quotas of recruits entrained for military 
service, were of too sacred a nature to attempt an adequate descrip- 
tion. 

What might have been the thoughts of the individual at the break- 
ing of home-ties and during the long, tiresome railroad journey to 
Camp Meade, were buried deep in the heart, to be cherished as a 
future memory only. Personal griefs were hidden as those seven hun- 
dred young men in civilian clothes stepped from the train at Disney, 
grasped their suit case, box, or bundle, firmly and set out on the mile 
and a quarter hike through the camp — past divisional headquarters ; 
perspiring freely under the heat of the setting sun. It was with an 
appearance of carelessness and humor they jaunted along, singing at 
times. "You're in the Army Now" — finally to breast the rise of the 
hill previous to "O" block, the descent thereof which was to mark 
the first stage of their transformation from civilian to soldier. 

Descent of the hill lead down to a sandy square in front of a 
long building that housed regimental headquarters. After, what 
seemed like hours to the recruits lined-up, roll of the seven hundred 
was called, divisions made, and the first quota of Battery D was 
marched to 019. 




MAJOR DAVID A. REED 



ARMY RECORD. 



Enlisted in the service of the United States Army, May nth. 
1917, and received commission as Major at the First Officers' Train- 
ing Camp, Fort Niagara, N. Y. Was ordered to Camp Meade, Md.. 
August 29th, 1917, and placed in command of the Second BattaHon, 
311th Field Artillery. Accompanied the outfit to France. On de- 
tached service with the Interallied Armistice Commission, Spa, Bel- 
gium, from November 20th. 1918, to February ist, 1919. Was awarded 
the French Legion of Honor medal April 4th, 1919. Discharged 
February 26th, 1919. Got commission as Lieutenant-Colonel in the 
Field Artillery Reserve. August 6th, 19 19. 



CHAPTER IV. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS. 

Iron-bound was the rule. You couldn't escape it. Every selected 
man who entered Camp Meade had to submit. Of course, the new 
recruits were given a dinner shortly after their arrival — but not with- 
out first taking a bath. 

019. like all the other barracks of the cantonment, was a wooden 
structure, 150 x 50 feet, two stories in height. Half of the first 
floor housed the kitchen and dining hall while the remainder of the 
building was given over to sleeping quarters, with the exception of a 
corner set apart as the battery office and supply room — a most busi- 
ness-like place, from which the soldier usually steered shy, unless he 
wanted something, or had a kick to register about serving as K. P., 
or on some other official detail when he remembered having done a 
turn at the said detail just a few days previous. 

The rows of army cots and army blankets presented a different 
picture to the new soldier at first appearance, in comparison to the 
snug bed room, with its sheets and comfortables, that remained idle 
back home. The first night's sleep, however, was none-the-less just, 
the same Camp Meade cot furnishing the superlative to latter com- 
parisons when a plank in a barn of France felt good to weary bones. 

Before rolling-in the first night every one was made acquainted 
with reveille, but no one expected to be awakened in the middle of 
the night by the bugle calling. "I Can't Get 'Em Up, etc.. etc." Could 
it be a mistake? No. indeed, it was 5:15 a. m., and the soldier was 
summoned to roll-out and prepare for his first real day as a soldier. 

"Get dressed in ten minutes and line up outside in battery-front 
for roll call," was the first order of the day. Then followed a few 
precious moments for washing up in the Latrine, which was a large 
bath house connected with the barrack. 

Before the call, "Come and Get It" was sounded the more am- 
bitious of the recruits folded their blankets and tidied up their cots. 
When mesa call was sounded but few had to be called the second 
time. 

The hour of 7 130 was set for the day's work to begin, the first 
command of which was "Outside, and Police-Up." In the immediate 
vicinity of the battery area there was always found a multitude of 
cigarette butts, match stems, chewing gum wrappers, and what not, 



24 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

and the place had to be cleaned up every morning. If Battery D had 
saved all the "snips" and match stems they policed-up and placed 
tb.em end by each the Atlantic could have been spanned and the ex- 
pense of the Steamship Morvada probably saved. 

The first few weeks of camp life were not strenuous in the line 
of military routine. Detail was always the long-suit at Camp Meade. 
During the first few days at camp if the new recruit was lucky enough 
to be ofif detail work, the time was usually employed in filling out 
qualification cards, identification cards ; telling your family history ; 
making application for government insurance ; subscribing to Liberty 
bonds ; telling what you would like to be in the army ; where you 
wanted your remains shipped ; getting your finger-prints taken, and 
also getting your first jab in the arm which gave the first insight into 
a typhoid inoculation. 

When a moment of ease presented itself during the life examina- 
tion — the supply sergeant got busy and started to hand out what ex- 
cess supplies he had and. in the matter of uniforms, of which there 
was always an, undercess, measurements were taken with all the ex- 
actness and precision befitting a Fifth Avenue tailoring establishment. 
Why measurements were ever taken has ever remained a mystery, be- 
cause almost every soldier can remember wearing his civilian clothes 
thread-bare by the time the supply sergeant was able to snatch up a 
few blouses and trousers at the cjuartermasters. And these in turn 
were passed out to the nearest fits. It was a case of line-up and await 
your turn to try and get a fit, but a mental fit almost always ensued in 
the game of line-up for this and line-up for that in the army. 

After being enmeshed in such a coil of red tape all of one whole 
day, 5 o'clock sounded Retreat, when instruction was given on how 
to stand at ease ; how to assume the position of "parade-rest" ; then, 
to snap into attention. 

Evening mess was always a joyful time, as was the evening, when 
the soldier was free to visit the Y. M. C. A. and later the Libertv 
Theatre, or partake of the many other welfare activities that developed 
in the course of time. From the first day. however, 9 145 p. m. was the 
appointed hour that called to quarters, and taps at 10 o'clock eac'n 
n.ight sounded the signal for lights out and everybody in bunk. 

The inoculations were three in number, coming at ten day in- 
tervals. When it came time for the second "jab", the paper work was 
well under way and the call was issued for instruction on the field of 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 25 

drill to begin. Many a swollen arm caused gentle memories as part of 
each day was gradually being given over to, tirst calesthenics, then 
to a knowledge of the school of the soldier. The recruit was taught 
the correct manner of salute, right and left face, about face, and 
double time. 

Newly designated sergeants and corporals were conscripted to 
the task of squad supervision and many exasperating occasions arose 
when a recruit got the wrong "foots" in place and was commanded 
to "change the foots." 

Meals for the iirst contingent of pioneer recruits ranged from 
rank to worse, until the boys parted company with their French civil- 
ian cooks and set up their own culinary department with Sergeant 
Joseph A. Loughran. of Hazleton, Pa., in charge. August H. Genetti 
and Edward Campbell, both of Hazleton. Pa.; George Musial. of 
Miners Mills, Pa., and Charles A. Trostel, of Scranton, Pa., were 
installed as the pioneer cooks. By this mess change the soldiers who 
arrived in later contingents were served more on the American plan 
of cooking. 

On September 21st, 1917, came the second section of the selected 
quotas, bringing more men to Battery D. Their reception varied little 
from the first contingent's, with the exception that the first arrived 
soldiers were on the ground to ofifer all kinds of advice — some 
of the advice almost scaring the new men stifif. 

The future contingents were greeted with a more completed camp, 
because the construction work was continued many weeks after the 
soldiers began to arrive. And, in passing, it might be recorded, that 
the construction work continued long after the contractors finished 
their contracts. Military-like it was done by "detail." 

On October 4th and 5th more recruits arrived and then on Nov- 
ember 2nd another large contingent arrived and was assigned to Bat- 
tery D. This was the last selected quota to be received directly into 
the regiment, for, thereafter, the Depot Brigade received all the newly 
selected men. 

Almost all of the recruits of the first few contingents, including 
the delegation that arrived on November 2nd, came from Eastern 
Pennsylvania, from the Hazleton, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre dis- 
tricts of the Middle Anthracite Coal Fields. The delegation that ar- 
rived on November 2nd was accompanied by St. Ann's Band, of 
Freeland, Pa. The band remained in camp over the week-end, dur- 



26 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

ing which time a number of concerts were rendered. The band was 
highly praised for its interest and patriotism. 

All the men originally assigned to Battery D were not to remain 
with the organization throughout their military life. On October 15th, 
1917, Battery D lost about half of its members in a quota of 500 of 
the regiment who were transferred to Camp Gordon, Georgia. On 
November 5th, two hundred more were transferred from the regi- 
ment and on February 5th, seventy-two left to join the Fifth Artillery 
Brigade at Camp Leon Springs, Texas. 

The latter part of May Battery D received a share of 931 re- 
cruits sent to the regiment from the 14th Training Battalion of the 
T54th Depot Brigade at Camp Meade. On July 2nd and 3rd, one 
hundred and fifty more came to the regiment from the Depot Bri- 
gade; 540 from Camp Dix, N. J., and Camp Upton, N. Y. ; fifty from 
the aviation fields of the South ; and a quota from the Quartermas- 
ter Corps in Florida. 

Many of these did not remain long with the battery. In the 
latter part of June and the beginning of July the battery was reduced 
to nearly one-half and the March replacement draft to Camp Merritt 
took thirty-two picked men from the regiment. This ended the trans- 
fers. While in progress, the transfers rendered the regiment like 
unto a Depot Brigade. Over four thousand men passed through the 
regiment, five hundred of the number passing through Battery D. 



CHAPTER V. 

LEARNING TO BE A SOLDIER. 

"Dress it up !" 

And— 

"Make it snappy !" 

"One, two, three, four." 

"Now you've got it !" 

"That's good. Hold it !" 

"Hep." 

Battery D had lots of "pep" during the days of Camp Meade 
regime. 

First Sergeant William C. Thompson, of Forest, Mississippi, kept 
things lively for the first few months with his little whistle, followed 
by the command, "Outside i" 

Merrill C. Liebensberger, of Hazleton, Penna., served as the 
tlrst supply sergeant of the battery. David B. Koenig, also of Hazle- 
ton, Penna., ranking first as corporal and later as sergeant, was kept 
busy with office work, acting in the capacity of battery clerk. Lloyd 
E. Brown, of East Richmond, Indiana, served as the first instrument 
sergeant of the battery. John M. Harman, of Hazleton, Penna., was 
the first signal-sergeant to be appointed. 

It might be remarked in passing that Messrs. Thompson, Liebens- 
berger, and Harman were destined for leadership rank. Before the 
outfit sailed for overseas all three had gained application to officers' 
training schools, and were, in the course of time, commissioned as 
lieutenants. Battery Clerk Koenig continued to serve the outfit in an 
efficient manner throughout its sojourn in France. Instrument-Ser- 
geant Brown early in 1918 answered a call for volunteers to go to 
France with a tank corps. While serving abroad he succumbed to an 
attack of pneumonia and his body occupies a hero's resting place in 
foreign soil. 

A wonderful spirit was manifested in the alTairs of Battery D 
despite the fact that the constant transfer of men greatly hampered 
the w^ork of assembling and training a complete battery for active 
service in France. Men who spent weeks in mastering the fundamen- 
tals of the soldier regulations were taken from the organization, to be 



28 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

replaced by civilians, whereby the training had to start from the be- 
ginning. This caused many changes in plans, systems, and policies. 
Rejections were also made for physical disabilities. 

For the greater part of the Camp Meade history of the battery, 
the organization lacked sufficient men to perform all the detail work. 
Thus days and days passed without any military instruction being 
imparted. 

Instruction in army signalling by wig-wag and semaphore was 
started whenever a squad or two could be spared from the routine of 
detail. Then followed instruction on folding horse blankets, of care 
of horses and harness, and lessons in equitation, carried out on barrels 
and logs. 

Stables and corrals were in the course of construction. By the 
time snow made its appearance in November horses were received, 
also more detail. 

First lessons in the duties of gun-crews and driving squads were 
also attempted. Materiel was a minus quantity for a long time, 
wooden imitations sufficing for guns until several 3.2's were procured 
for the regiment. Later on the regiment was furnished with five 3 
inch U. S. field pieces. Training then assumed more definite form. 
For weeks and weeks the gun crews trained without any prospects of 
ever getting ammunition and firing actual salvos. 

Learning to be a soldier also developed into a process of going 
to school. Men were assigned to attend specialty classes. Schools 
were established for gunnners, schools for snipers, schools for non- 
commissioned officers. Here it might be stated that the first non- 
coms envied the buck-privates when it came to attending non-com- 
missioned officers' school one night a week when all the bucks were 
down enjoying the show at the Y hut or the Liberty Theatre. 

Schools were started for all kinds of special and mechanical duty 
men ; schools to teach gas-defense ; buzzer schools ; telephone schools ; 
smoke-bomb and hand-grenade courses ; and map-reading and sketch- 
ing schools. Sergeant Earl B. Schleppy, of Hazleton, Penna., who 
assisted in the battery office work before he was appointed supply- 
sergeant, developed extra lung capacity while the various schools were 
in progress. It became his duty to assemble the diverse classes prior 
to the start of instruction. He was kept busy yelling for the soldiers 
to assemble for class work. 

It soon developed in the minds of the men that war-time military 
life was mostly drudgery with only the personal satisfaction of doin^' 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 29 

one's duty. Hardships and drudgery, however, did not mar the am- 
bition of the soldier for recreation. Baltimore and Washington were 
nearby and passes were in order every Saturday to visit these cities. 

Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, during the first few months 
of camp life, were ofi:'-periods for the soldiers, but later Wednesday 
afternoon developed as an afternoon of sport and the men took keen 
interest in the numerous athletic interests which were promoted. 

On Tuesday, November 6th, a half-holiday was proclaimed and 
Election Day observed throughout the camp. The soldiers who availed 
themselves of the opportunity of marking the complicated soldier 
ballot that was provided, cast the last vote, in many instances, until 
after their official discharge. 

Daily hikes were on the program in the beginning to develop a 
hardness of muscle in the new soldiers. Lieut. Robert Campbell was 
in charge of the majority of the daily hikes at the ofit'-set. His hobby 
was to hike a mile then jaunt a mile. When it came to long distant 
running Lieut. Campbell was on the job. He made many a soldier 
sweat in the attempt to drag along the hob-nailed field shoes on a 
run. Hikes later were confined to Wednesday afternoon. 

Battery D always put up a good showing in the numerous athletic 
contests. On Saturday, November loth, the Battery won the second 
l>anner in the Inter-Battalion Meet ; in celebration of which a parade 
and demonstration was held on the afternoon of the victory day. 

Music was not lost sight of. The boys of Battery D collected 
the sum of $175 for the purchase of a piano for barrack 019. Phil 
Cusick, of Parsons, Penna., was the one generally sought out 
to keep the ivories busy. November 19th witnessed the first gathering 
together of the regiment on the parade grounds for a big song fest 
under the leadership of the divisional music director. Battery and 
battalion song jubilees were conducted at intervals in the O block Y 
hut. 



CHAPTER VI. 

FLEETING HOURS OF LEAVE. 

Towering like a giant over the uniform type of barrack and 
buildings at Camp Meade, stood a large observation tower, situated 
on what was known as the "plaza," the site of divisional headquarters. 
A general panorama from this tower was an inspiring sight. Radiat- 
ing from the plaza, extending for several miles in any direction the 
gaze was focused, there appeared the vista of the barracks of the 
troops together with the sectional Y. M. C. A.'s canteens, stables, 
corrals and other supply and administration buildings ; also the in- 
terposing, spacious drill fields. 

The beauty of this scene was enhanced by the mantle of snow 
that often garbed it during the winter months. To see a city of 40,000 
in such uniformity as marked the cantonment construction ; with its 
buildings covered with snow ; the large drill fields spread with a blan- 
ket of snow ; and, a snow storm raging — is a tonic for any lover of 
riature. 

On the night of Wednesday, November 28th, the first snow 
greeted the new soldiers at Camp Meade. The ground, robed in 
white, breathed the spirit of the approaching holiday season. The 
coming of Thanksgiving found discussion in 019 centered on the sub- 
ject of passes to visit "home." 

On November 24th fifteen of D battery men were granted forty- 
eight hour leaves and departed for their respective homes. All the 
officers remained in camp and planned with the men to enjoy the 
holiday. 

The Thanksgiving dinner enjoyed by Battery D was one never 
to be forgotten in army life. Mess-Sergeant Al Loughran and the 
battery cooks, ably championed by the K. P.'s, worked hard for the 
success of the Thanksgiving battery dinner. Battalion and battery 
officers dined with the men, the noon-mess being attendant by the 
following menu : 

Oyster Cocktail 

Snowed Potatoes Roast Turkey Turkey Filling 

Cranberry Sauce Celery Peas 

Oranges Apples Candy Cake Nuts 

Bread Butter Coffee 

Mince Pie 
Cigarettes Cigars 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS' 3I 

Sweet dreams of this dinner often haunted the boys when "bully- 
beef" was the main-stay day after day many times during the sojourn 
in France. 

After the dinner officers and battery members adjourned to the 
second floor of the barrack where battery talent furnished an enter- 
tainment, consisting of instrumental and vocal numbers and winding 
up with several good boxing bouts. Barney McCafifery, of Hazleton, 
Penna., a professional pugilist, was the pride of the battery in the 
ring. 

Corporal Frank McCabe, of Parsons, Penna., was one of the real 
comedians of the battery. His character impersonations enlivened 
many an evening in 019. Every member of the outfit was deeply 
grieved when Corporal McCabe was admitted to the base-hospital the 
latter part of January, suffering with heart trouble. On January 24th 
at 8:20 p. m.. Corporal McCabe died. This first casualty of the bat- 
tery struck a note of sympathetic appeal among the battery members. 
A guard of honor from the battery accompanied the body to Parsons 
where interment was made with military honors. 

After Thanksgiving Battery D settled down to an intensive 
schedule of instruction. Days of rain, snow, and zero weather fol- 
lowed, making the routine very disagreeable at times, but never act- 
ing as a demoralizer. Days that could not be devoted to out-door 
Avork were used to advantage for the schedule of lecture periods dur- 
ing which the officers conducted black board drills to visualize many 
of the problems connected with artillery work. 

On December 6th, 191 7, a series of regimental practice marches 
were instituted, first on foot, then on mount. The first mounted 
marches, however, were rather sore-ending affairs, as were the first 
lessons in equitation. Saddles and bridles were lacking as equipment 
for many weeks after the receipt of the horses. Mounted drill, rid- 
ing bare-back, with nothing but a halter chain as a bridle, was the 
initiatory degree of Battery D's equitation. 

Barrack 0103, about half the size and situated in the rear of 
019, was completed on December 19th, when a portion of Battery 
D men were quartered in the new structure, thereby relieving the 
congestion in 019. 

Christmas and New Year's of 19 17 furnished another contro- 
A'crsy on the c^uestion of holiday furloughs. On Saturday, December 
15th, inspection was called off and forty men were detailed to bring 



32 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

more horses from the Remount station for use in the battery. The 
detail completed its task faithfully, the men being happy in the thought 
that, according to instructions, they had, the night previous, made 
application for Christmas passes. Gloom greeted the end of the day's 
horse convoy. Announcement was made that all Christmas pass orders 
had been rescinded in the camp. 

The gloom was not shattered until December 20th, when announce- 
ment was made at retreat formation that half of the battery would be 
allowed Christmas passes and the other half would be given furloughs 
over New Year's Day. The loudest yell that ever greeted the "dis- 
missed" command at the close of retreat, rent the atmosphere at that 
time. 

More disappointments were in store for the boys before their 
dreams of a furlough home were realized. Saturday, December 22nd. 
was decreed g, day of martial review at Camp Meade. Secretary of 
War Newton D. Baker visited the cantonment that day and the review 
was staged in his honor. Battery D formed with the regiment on the 
battery street in front of 019 at 1.20 o'clock on the afternoon of the 
review. The ground was muddy and slushy. The regiment stood in 
formation until 3.15 o'clock when the march to pass the reviewin;( 
stand started. At 4.30 o'clock the review formation was dismissed 
and the boys dashed back to 019 to get ready to leave on their Christ- 
mas furloughs. 

It was a happy bunch that left 019 at 5.15 p. m. that day, under 
the direction of Lieut. Berkley Courtney, bound for the railroad station 
and home. An hour later the same bunch were seen trudging back to 
019. Their happiness had suddenly taken wing. A mix-up in train 
schedules left them stranded in camp for the night, while the hours of 
their passes slowly ticked on, to be lost to their enjoyment. 

The ''get-away" was successfully effected the next morning, Sun- 
day, December 23rd, when the same contingent marched to Disney, 
reaching the railroad yard at 7.30 o'clock, where they were doomed to 
wait until 9.15 a. m. until the train left for Baltimore. 

More favorable train connections fell to the lot of the New Year's 
sojourners to the land of "home." 



CHAPTER VII. 

WELL GROOMED BY DETAIL. 

"This is some job." 

And the opinion was unanimous when stable detail at Camp 
Meade was in question, especially during the winter of 1917-18, which 
the Baltimore weather bureau recorded as the coldest in loi years. 
Stable detail at first consisted of five "buck" privates, whose duty it 
was to take care of "Kaiser," "Hay-Belly," and all the other battery 
horses for a period of three days. 

When on stable detail you arose at 5.45 a. m. ; quietly dressed, 
without lights, went to the stables and breakfasted the animals. If 
you were a speed artist you might get back in time for your own 
breakfast. 

After breakfast you immediately reported to the stable-sergeant, 
who was Anthony Fritzen, of Scranton, Penna. The horses were then 
led to the corral and the real stable duties of the day commenced. In 
leading the horses through the stable to the corral, the length of your 
life was dependant upon your ability to duck the hoofs of the ones 
remaining in the stables. 

When it came to cleaning the stables, many a "buck", private made 
a resolve that in the next war he was going to enlist as a "mule- 
skinner." Driving the battery wagon bore the earmarks of being a 
job of more drgnity than loading the wagon. 

Besides cleaning the stables and "graining-up" for the horses, the 
day of the stable police was spent in miscellaneous jobs, which Ser- 
geant Fritzen never ran out of. 

The stable detail underwent changes as time wore on. A perma- 
nent stable man was assigned for every stable and the detail was 
reduced to three privates. 

Stable police was of double import on Saturday mornings, pre- 
paratory to the weekly inspection. Every branch and department of 
military life has a variety of inspections to undergo at periodical times. 
The inspections keep the boys in khaki on the alert ; cleanliness 
becoming second nature. Nowhere can a vast body of men live 
bachelor-like as soldiers do and maintain the degree of tidiness and 
general sanitary healthfulneses, as the thorough arm of camp inspec- 
tion and discipline maintains in the army. 



34 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

A daily inspection of barracks was in order at Camp Meade. 
Before the boys answered the first drill formation each morning they 
did the housework. Everything had to be left spick and span. There 
was a specific place for everything and everything had to be kept in its 
place. 

With mops and brooms and plenty of water the barracks were 
given a good scrubbing on Friday afternoons and things put in shape 
for the Saturday morning inspection. Besides the clean-up feature^, 
a display of toilet articles and wearing apparel had to be made. When 
the inspectors made their tour each bunk had to show a clean towel, 
tooth brush, soap, comb, pair of socks, and suit of underwear. The 
articles had to be displayed on the bunk in a specific manner. 

"Show-Down" inspections were a big feature of the routine. This 
inspection recjuired the soldier to produce all his wares and equip- 
ment for inventory. The supply officer and supply sergeant of the 
battery made many rounds taking account of equipment that was 
short, but several more "show-downs" usually transpired before the 
lacking equipment was supplied. 

There was also a field inspection every Saturday morning, where 
the general appearance of the soldier could be thoroughly scrutinized. 
Clean-shaven, neatly polished shoes, clean uniform with buttons all 
present and utilized, formed the determining percentage features. 
When the inspection was mounted, horses and harness had to shine, 
the same as the men. 

January 1920 ushered in a period of changes in the staiT of officers 
for Battery D, some of the changes being temporary, others perma- 
nent. Trials of sickness and quarantine were also in store for the 
battery. 

Early in January Capt. A. L. Smith was called away from his 
military duties on account of the death of his father, Edward B. 
Smith, of Philadelphia, Penna. ; a bereavement which brought forth 
many expressions of sympathy from the men of his command. 

Captain Smith returned to camp the latter part of the month. 
Some time later he was ordered to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to attend the 
artillery school of fire. Lieut. Hugh M. Clarke also left the battery 
to attend the school of fire. First-Lieut. Arthur H. McGill was 
detached from the battery about this time and assigned as an instructor 
at the Officers' Training School that was opened at Camp Meade. 
Lieut. Robert S. Campbell was transferred from Battery D at this 
time. 



the; DEI.TA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS • 35 

First-Lieut. Robert Lowndes, of Elkridge, Md.. was assigned to 
temporary command of the battery. First-Lieut. J. S. Waterfield, of 
Portsmouth, Va., served as an attached officer with D Battery for 
some time. 

First Sergeant WilHam C. Thompson and Supply Sergeant Merle 
Liebensberger were successful applicants to the officers' training school 
at Meade. James J. Farrell, of Parsons, Penna., was appointed acting 
first-sergeant and Thomas S. Pengelly, of Hazleton, Penna., was 
appointed acting supply sergeant, both appointments later being made 
permanent. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

BATTERY PROGRESS. 

"Retreat," the checking-in or accounting for all soldiers at the 
close of a day's routine, was made a formal affair for the 311th Field 
Artillery on January 13th, 1918. The erection of a new flag pole in 
front of regimental headquarters furnished occasion for the formal 
formation when the Stars and Stripes are lowered to the strain of 
"The Star Spangled Banner" or the "Call to the Colors." 

When the formal retreat was established Battery D was in the 
throes of a health quarantine. A case of measles developed in the 
battery and an eighteen-day quarantine went into eft'ect on January 
19th. About a score of battery members, who were attending spe- 
ciality schools and on special detail work, were cmartered with Battery 
E of the regiment while the quarantine lasted. 

(Jn March 24th scarlet fever broke out and a second quarantine 
was put into eft'ect. This quarantine kept Battery D from sharing in 
the Easter furloughs to visit home. 

The regular routine of fatigue duty and drill formations took 
place during the quarantine periods, the restrictions being placed on 
the men leaving the battery area between drill hours. 

On March 6th Battery D took occasion to celebrate. The battery 
kitchen had been thoroughly renovated by Mechanic Grover C. Roth- 
acker and Mechanic Conrad A. Balliet, both of Hazleton, Penna.. the 
renovation placing it in the class of "The best kitchen and mess hall in 
camp." to quote the words of Major General Joseph E. Kuhn, divi- 
sional commander, when he inspectod Battery D on Saturday, March 
23rd. 

A fine menu was prepared for the banquet that was held on the 
night of March 6th. Col. Raymond Briggs and the battalion officers 
were guests at the banquet and entertainment that was furnished in 
the barracks until taps sovmded an hour later than usual that night. 

Details continued to play a big part in the life of Battery D. On 
March iilh the first detail of fifty men was sent to repair the highway 
near Portland. These details had a strenuous time of it ; the hardest 
work most of the detail accomplished was dodging lieutenants. 

Transfers had made big inroads in the battery's strength. Guard 
dutv fell to the lot of the batterv once a week. When the guard detail 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS ' 37 

was furnished there were scarcely enough men left to do the kitchen 
police work and other detail work. It was a time when rank imposed 
obligation. Sergeants and corporals had to get busy and chop wood 
and carry coal and wash dishes and police up and in many other ways 
imitate the buck private. 

On March 5th Lieut. Frank Yeager inaugurated a system of daily 
inspections at retreat, when the two neatest appearing men in line 
were cited each day and rewarded with a week-end pass to visit Balti- 
more or Washington, while those who got black marks for the week 
were put on detail work over the week-end. A list of honorable men- 
tions was also established for general tidiness at '*bunk" inspections. 

Rumor was ever present at Camp Meade. Almost every event 
that transpired was a token of early departure overseas, or else the 
"latrine-dope" had it that the outfit was to be sent to Tobyhanna for 
range practice. 

The first real evidence of overseas service presented itself during 
March when physical examinations were in order to test the physical 
fitness for overseas duty. Several, who it was deemed could not 
physically stand foreign service, were in due time transferred to vari- 
ous posts of the home-guards. Several transfers were also made to 
the ordnance department ; a number of chemists were detached from 
the battery, and transfers listed for the cooks' and bakers' school, for 
the quartermasters, for the engineers, for the signal corps, in fact men 
were sent to practically all branches in the division. 

On Saturday, March 30th, wrist watches were turned to 11 o'clock 
when taps sounded, ushering in the day-light savings scheme that 
routed the boys out for reveillcj during the wee dark hours of the 
mornirg. 

Training during April centered on actual experience in taking to 
the march with full mounted artillery sections. April 4th. 1918, 
found a detail from Battery D leaving camp at 8 a. m., with a section 
of provisional battery, enroute to Baltimore to take part in the big 
parade in honor of the opening of the Liberty Loan drive on the first 
anniversary of America's entrance into the war. While in Baltimore 
the outfit pitched camp in Clifton Park. The parade, which was 
reviewed by President Woodrow Wilson, took place on Saturday, 
April 6th. The detachment returned to camp by road on Sunday, 
April 7th. 



38 the: delta of the triple elevens 

During April a decree went forth to the Battery that set details 
at work every day clipping horses. Every one of the one hundred and 
sixty-four battery horses was clipped. 

The morning of Friday, April 26th. was declared a holiday at 
Camp Meade ; all units being called forth to participate in a divisional 
parade and Liberty Loan rally. 

A battery hike in march order was set for May 6th. The battery 
took to the road at 8 a. m., and drove through Jessup, thence to West 
Elkridge, Md., a distance of sixteen miles, where camp was pitched 
and the battery remained for the night, returning to camp the follow- 
ing afternoon after several firing problems in the field w'ere worked 
out by proxy fire. 

Chances for a cj^uick departure overseas began to warm up about 
the middle of May, which perhaps w^as responsible for the big divi- 
sional bon-fire that was burned on the night of May 13th. 





CAPT. PERRY E. HALL 



LIEUT. SIDNEY F. BENNETT 



Officers Associated with Battery D 





LIEUT. C. D. BAILEY 



LIEUT. FRANK J. HAMILTON 



CHAPTER IX. 

FAREWELL TO CAMP MEADE. 

First authentic signs of departure from Camp Meade came during 
the month of June when the boys witnessed the departure of the 
infantry regiments of the division. 

Void of demonstrative sendoff, regiment after regiment, fully and 
newly equipped, was departing on schedule ; thousands and thousands 
of sturdy Americans, ready to risk all for the ideals of liberty and 
freedom. 

It was with no unsteady step they marched through the streets of 
the military city that had sheltered, trained, tanned, and improved them 
aright for the momentous task which was before them. 

The scene, as they marched, is one that will live in memory of 
the boys of Battery D. It was no dress parade such as the march of 
like thousands in a civilian city would occasion. Battery D men and 
others were spectators, it is true, and the departing ones were sent off, 
as was later the case with Battery D. with cheers of encouragement 
and words of God-speed — the spirit breathed being of hearty, thought- 
ful patriotism such as can come only from a soldier who is bidding 
adieu to a comrade in arms, whom he will meet again in a common 
cause. 

Wonderful days of activity within Battery D foretold the news of 
departure. The regiment was in first class shape to look forward to 
service overseas, despite the fact that range-practice was a negligible 
factor. During the latter part of May, firing, to a limited extent, was 
practiced from the three-inch field pieces directed over the Remount 
station, but the experience thus gained was too I'ght to be important. 
About this time a French type of 75 mm. field piece was shipped to the 
regiment. Major David A. Reed became the instructor on this gun, 
when it became known that the outfit would likely be given French 
equipment upon arrival overseas. One gun for the regiment, however, 
and especially when received only several weeks in advance of the 
departure for overseas, afforded but little opportunity for general 
instruction on the mechanism of the new field piece. 

France, moreover, was the goal and the real range practice was 
left as a matter of course for over there. 

All activity centered on getting ready to depart. The battery car- 
penters and painters were kept busy making boxes and labelling thrm 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 4I 

properly for the "American E. F." Harness was being cleaned and 
packed. The time came for the horses to be returned to the Remount 
station. Supply sergeants were busy as bees supplying everybody 
with foreign service equipment. It proved a common occurrence to be 
routed out of bed at midnight to try on a pair of field shoes. All arti- 
cles of clothing and equipment had to be stamped, the clothing being 
stamped with rubber stamps, while the metal equipment was stamped 
with a punch initial. Each soldier got a battery number which was 
stamped on his individual equipment. 

On June 28th, Joseph Loskill, of Hazleton, Penna., and William 
F. Brennan, of Hazleton and Philadelphia, Penna., were assigned to 
accompany the advance detail of the regiment. Lieut. Arthur H. 
McGill was the Battery D officer to accompany the advance detail, 
which left Camp Meade about 7 p. m., proceeding to Camp Merritt, 
N. J., for embarkation. The advance guard arrived at Jersey City the 
following morning at 6 o'clock, where they detrained and marched to 
the Ferry to get to Hoboken. There the detachment was divided, the 
officers boarding the S. S. Mongolia, the enlisted men the S. S. Due 
d'Abruzzi. The ships left Hoboken at 10.30 a. m., May 30th, bound 
for Brest. 

Battery D was filled to full war-strength during the first week 
of July, just before departure, when the outfit received a quota of 150 
men who came to the regiment from the Depot Brigade. Five hundred 
and forty came to the regiment from Camp Upton, N. Y., and Camp 
Dix, N. J., and fifty from the signal corps in Florida. 

In the front door and out of the back of 019 the battery 
passed in alphabetical line in rehearsal of the manner in which the 
gang plank of the ship was to be trod. Departure instruction likewise 
included hikes to the electric rail siding to ])ractice boarding the cars 
with equipment. 

The last few days in camp were marked by daily medical inspec- 
tions, also daily inspections of equipment. Everybody had to drag 
all their equipment outside for inspection. The men were fully and 
newly equipped with clothing and supplies upon leaving. Two new 
wool uniforms, two pairs of field shoes, new underwear, socks, shirts, 
towels, toilet articles, and a score of other soldier necessities, were 
issued before leaving. All old clothing and equipment was turned in. 

Each man was allotted a barrack-bag as cargo. The barrack-bag 
was made of heavy blue denim with about a seventy-five pound capa- 



42 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

city, which weight was cited as the Hmit a soldier could obtain storage 
for in the ship's baggage compartments. 

Although seventy-five pounds was the order, all the boys resorted 
to some fine packing. There were not many under the limit. Most of 
the boys had their knitted garments in the bag, also a plentiful supply 
of soap, because rumor had struck the outfit that soap was a scarce 
article in France. Milk chocolate and smokes were also well stocked in. 

Besides the barrack-bag each soldier was provided with a haver- 
sack and pack-carrier, in which were carried — on the back — ^twO' O. D. 
blankets, toilet articles, extra socks, clothing, and the various articles 
that would be needed on the voyage across. 

Saturday, July 13th, 1918, was the memorable day of departure 
from Camp Meade. Battery D furnished the last guard detail of the 
regiment at Meade. The 13th, as luck would have it, dawned in a 
heavy shower of rain. Reveille sounded at 5.15 a .m., after which, 
those who had not done so the night previous, hiked out in the rain 
and emptied the straw from their bed-ticks; completed the packirg of 
their bags and packs and loaded the bags on trucks while the rain 
came down in torrents. 

As was usually the case in army routine, early reveille did not 
vouch for an early departure from camp. Detail aplenty was in store 
for the boys all day. The last meal was enjoyed in 019 mess-hall at 
5 p. m.. — then started a thorough policing up of barracks. Sweeping 
squads were sent over the ground a dozen times and finally the boys 
assembled outside on the battery assembling grounds, at 7.30 p. m , 
with packs ready and everything set to begin the march to entrain. 

During the hours of waiting that followed the boys indulged in a 
few sign painting decorations. Among the numerous signs tacked to 
019 were : 

"For Sail. Apply Abroad." 

"For Rent, for a large family ; only scrappers need apply. Btry 
D, 311th F. A." 

"Von Hindenberg dropped dead. We're coming." 

It was a grand sight to see the regiment depart at 8.45 p. m. The 
band was plaving ; colors were flying at the head of the column — 
everybody was in high spirits. But there were no civilians to enjoy 
the spectacle. It was night and but few knew of the departure. The 
rain had ceased and twilight was deepening into darkness as the regi- 
ment, excepting Battery A, which was left in camp for police detail, to 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 43 

follow a few days later, started on the hike ; back over practically the 
same route the soldiers were marched from Disney to 019 when they 
first arrived in camp. This time they were leaving 019; marching for 
the last time with Battery D through the reservation of Camp Meade ; 
marching to the railroad yards at Disney where trains were being made 
up to convey the regiment to a point of embarkation. But few knew 
whether it was to be Philadelphia, New York, or Hoboken. The men 
were leaving home and home-land and departing for a land of which 
they knew nought. What the ocean and Germany's program of relent- 
less submarine warfare had in store for them, no one knew. All hearts 
were strong in the faith and all stout hearts were ready to do and to 
dare ; content in the knowledge that they were doing their duty to their 
home and their country. 



CHAPTER X. 

ABOARD THE S. S. MORVADA. 

Land appeared in rugged outline along the horizon as the Steam- 
ship Morvada swept the waves when dusk was falling on the Tuesday 
evening of July i6th, 1918. It was a beautiful mid-summer's night 
and the boys of Battery D. in common with the members of the 311th 
regiment, stood at the deck railings of the S. S. Morvada and watched 
the outline of shore disappear under cover of darkness. The ship 
had been sailing since 11.30 a. m., Sunday, July 14th, at which time 
the Morvada had lifted anchor and slowly pushed its nose into the 
Delaware River ; leaving behind the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad 
docks at Port Richmond, Philadelphia, Penna., the last link that held 
them to their native shores. 

Surmises and guesses were rife as the ship rolled on in the dark- 
ness, leaving the boys either arguing as to the destination or else seek- 
ing their "bunk" down in the "hatch" and rolling in for the night. 

It was generally agreed that the course thus far was along the 
coast. It was apparent that the ship was skirting coastline, because 
convoy protection had been given by sea-planes flying out from the 
naval coast stations, accompanying the transport for a distance, then 
disappearing landward. The boys on the transport spent many an idle 
hour watching the aviators circle the ship time and time again, often 
coming within \oice range of the transport's passengers. 

It was also settled that the course had been Northeast, but no one 
was quite certain as to location. 

The morning of July 17th found the Morvada approaching land. 
A lighthouse appeared in the dim distance, then, as the hours passed 
and the ship sped on, the coast became visible and more visible, dis- 
closing rugged country, rising high from out of the water's edge. The 
country, moreover, appeared waste and devastated ; the land being 
covered with wrecked buildings that showed signs of explosive force. 

Location finally became apparent as harbor scenes presented an 
unicjue picturesqueness of territory. The S. S. Morvada was in Hali- 
fax harbor. Nova Scotia, and the surrounding territoiy was the scene 
of the famous T. N. T. explosion. It was 11 o'clock on the morning 
of July 17th that the ship cast anchor in Halifax harbor and word 
was passed that all on board could remove life preservers and breathe 
a sigh of relief. 



THE DELTA OE THE TRIPLE ELEvENS' 45 

To be suddenly found in Canadian environment furnished a new 
thrill for the soldiers. The Saturday night previous the same soldiers 
were making the trip from Camp Meade to port of embarkation. 

Everybody was expecting a lay over in an embarkation camp 
before embarking, therefore the surprise was the greater when the 
train that left Camp Meade at midnight on the evening of July 13th. 
deposited its cargo of soldiers on the pier at Port Richmond within a 
short distance of the ship that was waiting for its cargo of human 
freight before pulling anchor for the first lap of the France-bound 
journey. 

Orders to detrain were given at 8.29 a. m. Tired and hungry the 
soldiers were greeted on the pier by a large delegation of Red Cross 
workers who had steaming hot coffee, delicious buns, cigarettes and 
candy to distribute to the regiment as a farewell tribute and morning 
appetizer. Postal cards were also distributed for the soldiers to 
address to their home-folks. The messages were farewell messages 
and were held over at Washington, D. C, until word was received that 
the Morvada had landed safely overseas. 

At 8 a. m. the repeat-your-last-name-first-and-your-first-name-lasr 
march up the gang-plank started. Each man got a blue card with a 
section and berth number on; also a meal ticket appended, after which 
it was a scramble to find your right place in the hatch. 

At 11.30 o'clock anchor was lifted; the little river tug boat nosed 
the steamship about ; then, with colors flying, the band playing, the 
Morvada steamed down the Delaware ; passing Hog Island in a mid- 
way of ships from which words of farewell and waves of good-bye 
wafted across to the Morvada. The sky-line of Brotherly Love, 
guarded over by William Penn on City Hall, gradually faded from 
view and the Sunday afternoon wore on, as the boys spent most of 
their first day aboard a transport on deck, watching the waves and 
admiring the beauties of nature, revealed in all splendor as the ever- 
fading shore line, viewed from the promenade deck, lost itself into the 
mist-like horizon of sky and water, richly enhanced by the brilliancy of 
a superb sunset. 

The S. S. Morvada skirted the shore for some time and for the 
first few hours all was calm on deck. By night, however, sea-sickness 
began to manifest itself and there was considerable coughing up over 
the rail. 

Besides watching the waves and the various-sized and colored 
fishes of the deep make occasional bounds over the crest of the foam, 



46 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

the soldiers spent their time trying to get something to eat, which was 
a big job in itself. 

The Morvada was an English boat, of small type, that was built 
in 1 9 14 to ply between England and India, carrying war materials. 
The voyage of the 311th was the second time the Morvada was used 
as a transport. Except for officer personnel the ship was manned by 
a crew of East Indians, whose main article of wearing apparel was a 
towel and whose main occupation was scrubbing and flushing the decks 
with a hose, just about the time mess call found the soldiers looking 
for a nice spot to settle down with mess-kit and eating-irons. Up 
forward were batteries B, D, E, and F, and the Supply Company, and 
aft were Headquarters Company. Battery C, and the Medical Detach- 
ment. Each end of the ship had its galley along which the mess lines 
formed three times a day. The khaki-clad soldiers could not get used 
to the English system of food rationing with the result that food riots 
almost occured until the officers of the regiment intervened and 
secured an improvement in the mess system. 

The first night in Halifax harbor was a pleasant relief from the 
strain of suspense that attended the journey to Canadian waters. Deck 
lights were lighted for the first time and vied for brilliancy in the night 
with the other ocean-going craft assembled in the harbor. The Mor- 
vada did not dock but remained anchored in the harbor, from where 
the soldiers on board could view the city and port of entry that was 
the capital of the Province of Nova Scotia. 

To the Southeast the city of Halifax, situated on a fortified hill, 
towering 225 feet from the waters of the harbor, showed its original 
buildings built of wood, plastered or stuccoed ; and dotted with fine 
buildings of stone and brick of later day creation. 

When the soldiers on board the Morvada arose on the morning 
of July 1 8th the Halifax harbor was dotted with several more trans- 
ports that had arrived during the night. The day was spent in sema- 
phoring to the various transports and learning what troops each quar- 
tered. Official orders, however, put a stop to this form of pastime 
and discussion was shifted to the whys and wherefores of the various 
camouflage designs the troop ships sported. 

During the stay at Halifax the first taste of mail censorship was 
doled out. Letters were written in abundance, which were treated 
rather roughly by two-edged scissors before the mail was conveyed to 
Halifax to be sent to Washington, D. C, to await release upon notifica- 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 47 

tion that the Morvada had arrived safely overseas. Many of these 
first letters are still held as priceless mementos by the home-folks. 

Each morning of the succeeding days that the Morvada was 
anchored in Halifax harbor brought several new ships to cluster a- 
bout in the wide expanse of water A sufficient number for convoy 
across the Atlantic was gradually assembling, each ship appearing in 
a different regalia of protective coloration that made the harbor sight 
vastly spectactular. 

Newspapers from the Canadian shore were brought on board each 
day. On July 19th the papers conveyed the information that the United 
States Cruiser, San Diego, was sunk that day ten miles oft' Fire Island 
by running on an anchored mine placed there by German U-boats. 
The Morvada had traversed the same course several days previous. 

To read of such occurrence, in such environment was to produce 
silent thought. To be in the harbor of Halifax, within shadow of 
McNalis Island that rested on the waves at the mouth of the harbor, 
was to be in the same environment as the confederate cruiser, 
"Tallahassee," which slipped by night through the Eastern passage 
formed by McNalis Island, and escaped the Northern vessels that 
were watching oft' the western entrance formed by the island. 

The time was drawing near when the Morvada was destined to 
creep stealthily through the night, to cross the 3,000 miles of sub- 
marine infested Atlantic. 



CHAPTER XI. 

DODGING SUBMARINES. 

Under serene skies on the morning of July 20th. seventeen ships, 
assembled in Halifax harbor, made final preparation to steam forth 
to the highways of the broad Atlantic. 

At 9.30 o'clock that morning the con\oy maneuvered into battle 
formation with a U. S. cruiser leading the convoy while four small 
sub-chasers circled about in high speed and an army dirigible flew 
overhead. Each ship was directed in a zig-zag course, a new angle of 
the zig-zag being pointed every few minutes, a course of propellation 
that continued the entire route of water way. 

Good-byes were waved from ships stationed along the several miles 
of water course that marked the harbor's length, until the open 
Atlantic was reached, then the sub-chasers and the dirigible turned 
about, leaving the seventeen transports and supply ships under the wing 
of the battle cruiser that proceeded to pick out the course across the 
ccean. to where bound no one on board, save the captain of the ship, 
knew. 

Clad in their life preservers the soldiers idled about the decks as 
the convoy sped on. It was a source of delight to stand at the deck- 
rail and watch the waves dash against the steel clad sides of the ship. 
On several occasions when the waves rolled high, many on board 
experienced the sensation of a sea bath, the stiff sea breeze carrying 
the seething foam high over the rail on to the deck. 

To see the waves roll high created the impression of mightiness 
of creation ; the impression of mountains rising magic-like at the side 
of the vessel. Suddenly the ship rises to the crest of the wave and 
the recedence leaves one looking down into what appears like a deep 
cavern. 

When the sun was casting in the direction one was thrilled by the 
beauties of the rainbow observed in the clearness of the waves, when, 
at the height of dashing resplendence the surging sprays descend in 
fountain-semblance, drinking in, as it were, the very beauty of God's 
handiwork. 

The same position on deck the boys found none the less attractive 
when the shades of night had fallen. ( )n one of the first nights out 
the ship passed through an atmosphere of dense fcg — suddenly to 
emerge into elements of star-lit splendor — the moon, in full radiance, 



the; delta of the triple elevens 49 

casting a silvery luminous path on the sparkling waves. It was a 
phenomena worthy of the tallest submarine risks to witness. The full 
moon and the very repleteness of things aesthetic gave opportunity 
for those who were able to portray an attitude of indifference, to tell 
gravely how the radiance of the night fully exposed the convoy to the 
U-boats that were lurking in every wave. 

Established routine of transport duties and formations was con- 
tinued during the ocean voyage. Ship-abandon and fire drills were a 
daily feature of life aboard. Each outfit had a specific place to con- 
gregate when the signal for ship-abandon drill was sounded. All that 
was necessary was to stand at the appointed place while the coolies, 
comprising the crew, scampered to the life-boats and made miniature 
attempts at hacking the ropes and dropping to the waves. 

The promenade deck, both port and starboard sides, was in use 
each day accommodating group after group for half-hour periods of 
physical exercise. The tossirg of the vessel lent itself in rythm to th:^ 
enjoyment of the calisthenics, or else it was physical exercise enough 
in trying to maintain an equilibrium while the arms and legs wer^ 
raised alternately in eight counts. 

Guard duty was firmly established on board. A guard roster 
numbered more men than a guard detail at Camp Meade ever required. 
The significance of the precise guard forms another of the mysteries 
of Battery D. No one went A. W. O. L. while enroute and when it 
came to challenging after taps, a sentry in most cases could not bs 
greetsd by the customary answer, "a friend," although the challenged 
party was a friend indeed, also a friend in need. How could h3 
answer when he had his hand over his mouth and his primary object 
was to get to the rail quick. After several days out, however, a major- 
ity of the boys "got their sea legs," as evinced by the mess line three 
times daily. 

A schedule of formations, similar to Camp Meade routine, was 
promulgated on board. Reveille was set for 7 o'clock each morning. 
When the time came to assemble on deck the space was so small and 
the crowd was so large that many a recruit slept-in until the last mess 
line was treading the beat. Reform measures were instituted and 
extra duty lists published, offenders beirg added to the regular details 
that were selected to daily wash up the deck and clean up the hatch. 

A permanent submarine guard was detailed, the members of this 
detail landing state rooms for the journey ; living next door to the 
officers. During the trip this guard sighted several score of "subs" 



50 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

but generally their "object port-bow" proved to be a keg that had 
become prohibition and therefore found itself abandoned in mid-ocean. 

Outside of bunk inspection, medical inspection, feet inspection, 
several kinds of arm inspection, with details, drill formations and 
exercise periods, the life of the American soldier aboard a transport 
was an idle one. The ship's canteen did a big business during office 
hours. A world's series bleacher crowd had nothing on the canteen 
line of the Morvada. A place in the line commanded a high premium, 
which led to speculation in canteen supplies. 

The afternoon of July 21st was attendant by a high wind, making 
it very cool on deck, while the wind lashed the waves with great fury. 
The cold wind blew all day July 22nd, the day when the first wireless 
reports were posted on board, telling of the Germans being driven 
over the Marne and thousands of prisoners captured. 

The sea became calm on Tuesday, July 23rd, the gale having died 
down. The ship was traveling East and each morning watches had to 
be readjusted to correspond to the change in longitude. 

At 3 a. m. on the third morning out a great commotion was 
occasioned on board. Everybody was awakened by a loud rumbling. 
A majority thought a submarine had been encountered. Several dashed 
up the steps of the hatchway to be ready for action. Someone shouted, 
"Don't get excited, but make room for me to get out first." Later it 
was ascertained that the noise was caused by the ships' anchor slipping 
several rods of anchor chain. 

The first taste of real excitement was occasioned at i o'clock on 
the afternoon of July 25th when a strange craft was sighted on the 
distant horizon. The cruiser of the convoy was all action immediately. 
Warning flashed to all the convoy party and a wild series of zig- 
zagging ensued while the cruiser chased pell-mell in the direction of 
the sighted craft. A shot was fired from the cruiser in the dash, but 
only a mountain of water was blasted by the discharge. 

The convoy continued Eastward while the cruiser investigated. 
Finally the cruiser returned to the convoy and reported everything 
O. K. The troops never learned the official identity of the strange 
vessel that sent the first sub-chasers up the vertebrae of many. 

Word was passed about on Saturday, July 27th, that the convoy 
was approaching the imrginary line in the ocean that Germany had 
established as the deadrline, past which her U-boats were operating in 
unrestricted warfare. The approach of the danger zone was the 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 51 

signal for all on board to remove no article of clothing while asleep at 
night and to carry a canteen of fresh water strapped to the belt at all 
times. In this manner everybody was prepared to take to the waves at 
a minute's sub-warning. 

As the journey continued the officers of Battery D instituted a 
series of battery lectures, also took up plans for the organization of a 
permanent battery commander's detail. 

Sunday, July 28th, found the sea calm in the morning, but a strong- 
gale set in at noon, followed by a heavy rain during the afternoon. A 
dense fog enveloped the convoy. Fog horns came into play and it was 
a miserable night aboard for everybody. Standing at the deck rail one 
could not pierce the fog, although it was known that within a short 
radius all the other ships of the convoy were groping their way through 
the darkness ; each creeping as a black monster through the gloomy 
night, depending upon the fog-horn to keep aloof from their sister 
convoy ships ; a sense of loneliness enshrouded the scene. It was a 
wild night for the timid with sub-scares, especially when the informa- 
tion leaked out that the sub-chasers which were scheduled to meet the 
convey and escort it through the danger zone, were overdue and still 
missing. 

Fog still lay close to the water on the morning of Monday, July 
29th, as eager watch was kept for the new convoy. The transports 
had reached the danger line and the destroyers were not in sight. 

Finally at 10 a. m. on the morning of the 29ih, the first of the 
sub-chasers was sighted. It was not long before others appeared, 
bobbing up and down. The waves dashed high about the light craft 
and at times seemed to submerge the shells as they bore down upon 
the groups of transports. Eight sub-chasers appeared on the scene. 
A great shout went up from the transports as the convoy was sighted. 
They circled the transports and the last and most dangerous lap of the 
journey was started. 

Thoughts strange and varied filled the minds of the majority 
aboard as they tossed in their bunks on the night of July 29th. Realiza- 
tion of location in the danger zone was keen. Those who were at ease 
sufficiently to sleep were annoyed and disturbed by the noises of 
whistles and signal horns as the ships and the convoy kept ever alert 
for submarines. 

On the morning of July 30th the eight sub-chasers encircled the 
convoy party in closer proximity. The dash through the danger zone 



52 THE DELTA OP THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

continued unmolested luitil 3 o'clock in the afternoon when the first 
real periscope was discovered by the look-outs. 

The cruiser at the head of the convoy lurched forth ; fired a shot 
and tossed up the waves in answer. The resonance against the steel 
sides of the transport rang out clear, bringing hundreds scamperirg 
out of the hatches and state rooms of the ship, on to the decks, to peer 
out over the rail and watch in awe the great drama that was being 
enacted in serious reality upon the waves of the ocean. 

The sun was shining brightly. Every transport in the party 
struck out at full speed, while the zig-zagging was increased in com- 
parison. Eight sub-chasers cut the waves with frantic speed. The 
circle-convoy formation was abandoned. The destroyers cut short 
to make for the scene of action, which held forth and was witnessed to 
good advantage from the starboard side of the Morvada. 

As the transports fled under full steam the cruiser and sub-chasers 
snorted and crashed and roared in the vicinity the periscopes had been 
discovered. Depth-bombs came into play. Those missiles of destruc- 
tion were hurled from the destroyers as they combed the waves for 
miles and miles around the spot where danger threatened. Each dis- 
charge of depth-bomb raised an avalanche of water ; the deadly bombs 
blasting the depths for great distances, while the reverberation shook 
the transports, creating the impression that the transport was in direct 
contact with each explosion. 

For fully an hour the detonations continued as the depth-bombs 
were discharged. Finally the destroyers swept back and the convoy 
formation was resumed. The news was spread that the final result of 
the battle was success, as vouched for by films of oil the destroyers 
saw appear on the water's surface. General report had it that five sub- 
marines composed the attacking party and that wreckage and oil com- 
ing to the surface gave evidence of two having been destroyed. 

The convoy continued on its journey. Sailing orders were exe- 
cuted in detail. It was 4 o'clock, one hour after the sub-battle, that 
the convoy parted, the various ships bound for difl:'erent ports of 
debarkation, which were soon to loom in sight. 

At 6 p. m. that same day the soldiers on board the Morvada 
sighted land. Throughout the night the ships sped on but land was 
dimly discernible, the rugged outline appearing through the shadows 
of the night, while the appearance of fishing smacks, which the trans- 
port passed without fear or sign, created the impression that friendly 
shores were near. 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 53 

Unable to ply their nets at their life's occupation as fishermen the 
sturdy shoresmen of Brittany's coast gave of their time and their 
smacks to the perilous task of combing adjacent water for mines and 
explosive obstacles. 

It was these the Morvada passed out in the darkness of night, on 
the eve before landing and setting foot on foreign soil. The Morvada 
crept on, the contrasting stillness of the waves showing that channel 
waters had been reached. But few on board knew, or could rightly 
guess what shore was to greet their eyes on the dawn of the morrow. 



CHAPTER XII. 

A ROYAL WELSH RECEPTION. 

A surprise reception was in store for the soldiers aboard the S. S. 
Morvada when it came to debarking on foreign soil. As the ship 
plied the channel waters on the night of July 30th, 1918. but few on 
board knew what port was its destination ; but not so with the people 
of the British Isles. They knew the plans for the arrival of the Ameri- 
can army transports. On July 31st, the people of Barry and CarditT, 
in common with Newport, in the province of South Wales, did honor 
to the American troops. 

Barry, the urban district and seaport of Glamorganshire, Wales, 
on the Bristol channel, was the foreign shore that greeted the troops 
on the Morvada early in the morning of July 31st. 

It was perfect weather for such a visit, the first ever paid to Barry 
by a large body of American troops, and Barry's reception was whole- 
hearted. The citizens turned out in great force. Enthusiasm was 
manifest on every side, and this, despite the fact that, owing to the 
unavoidable delay in the ship's arrival, the people had to wait several 
hours while the Morvada rested at anchor in the harbor until docking 
could be accomplished at 9 a. m. 

While preparations to dock were in progress crowds lingered on 
the piers. The soldiers amused themselves by tossing one-cent pieces 
to the Welsh children. Immediately a demand for American cigar- 
ettes and chewing gum arose among the older Welshmen. 

The crowds and the town itself were in holiday attire. The ves- 
sels in dock were gay with bunting. Flags were displayed from shop- 
windows, the municipal offices and the fire-brigade station, while from 
the summit of the Barry Railway Company's offices "Old Glory" was 
flying to the breeze. 

As the Morvada docked and the command was given for the 
troops to debark, loud welcome was sounded by sonorous "hooters," 
screaming sirens and shrill ship and loco whistles. 

At 10 o'clock the soldiers were assembed on terra firma once more. 
Parade formation was ordered in answer to the glad welcome plans of 
the inhabitants. 

Headed by the regimental band the 311th Artillery skirted the 
banks of a rmall brook named Barri, whose waters encircled an island 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 55 

— the island which in the 7th century is supposed to have contained the 
cell of the Welsh saint, named Barri, from which the name of the 
island and the river is derived. 

British troops, with rifles at present arms and bayonets glistening 
in the sun, formed a guard of honor that lined both sides of the streets 
of Barry, through which the American: troops passed in royal wel- 
come. The march proceeded until King's square was reached, where 
official ceremony of welcome to the town was enacted. 

Here the officers and men formed in the large public square in 
front of the municipal offices, where Councillor George Wareham, 
J. P., as chairman of the district council, extended to the Americans 
a hearty welcome. 

Lieut-Col. Bradbridge, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, addressing 
Col. C. G. Mortimer, in command of the 311th, said he had been com- 
manded by His Majesty, the King, to welcome all to the shores of 
Great Britain. 

Each soldier was then presented with a copy of an autographed 
letter from King George V., bidding God-speed and every success. 
The letter was as follows : 

Windsor Castle. 
Soldiers of the United States — The people of the British 
Isles ivelconic you on your way to fake your stand beside the 
armies of many nations iiozc fightiuc/ in the Old World the 
great battle for human freedom. The Allies zinll gain new 
heart and spirit in your company. I wish that I could sliake 
the hand of each one of you, and bid you God-speed on your 
mission. 

George R. L 

Col. Mortimer expressed his appreciation of the very hearty wel- 
come his men had received. "We are here," he said, "for one purpose, 
and you all know what that is. We are young at the business, but if 
spirit counts for anything, it will surely win out. We have been look- 
ing forward to this for some little time, and I can assure you we will 
do our part." 

Then the band struck up the National anthem of America and 
this was followed by "God Save the King," and the soldiers moved on 
amid the cheers of the people. 

The last mess on the Morvada was partaken of at the conclusion 
of the parade. At 2 o'clock that afternoon all packs were removed 



56 THE DELTA OF THE TRll'LE ELEVENS 

from the boat, the troops assenibleil in a htrge ware-house on the pier ; 
British Red Cross workers distributed refreshments while trains were 
being: made up to convey the soldiers to their tirst fore".gn training- 
center. 

A combination of first, second, and third-class coaches of the com- 
partment tvpe characteristic of the English rail system matle up the 
section of train that was ass'gned to* Battery D. The coaches and 
British locomotives were the source of considerable interest to the sol- 
diers. Each compartment acccmmodateil eight men. which allowed a 
division of squads being made for the journey. 

At 4.30 o'clock the wheels began to grind the rails and the first 
ride on foreign soil was started. 

Fast-fleeting stretches of fertile farm land and extensive pasture 
field, rich in verdure, with cattle grazing drowsily at the close of day. 
presented the picture of a peaceful pastoral life of British subjects as 
the train continued to add up mileage. Station after station was passed 
without stop by the American troop special. Battery D displayed an 
Anierican flag from its section and the inhabitants in the \icinity of 
the railroad station as the special passed through their town or hamlet, 
could not mistake the identity of the Americans. 

From Barry the route stretched to Penarth and Cardiff ; passed 
through Newport. Christ Church, and Major, thence across the funnel 
waters of the Bristol channel to the thriving city of Bristol ; into the 
rural districts of Wiltshire; passing Bath. Trowbridge, and War- 
minster. 

Rations of hard bread, corned-beef, corned-beef hash, canned 
tomatoes, and jam, had been distributed t(^' the squads before leaving 
the Morvada. When the troop special was nearing Salisbury, evening 
was well advanced and the appetites of the soldiers were being gradu- 
ally appeased enroute. stop was made at Wilton, where everybody on 
board took advantage of permission to get oflf at the station and enjoy 
a cup of hot coffee that a contingent of British Red Cross workers 
handed out. 

The journev was resumed after a twenty-minttte lay-over. The 
South of England was penetrated farther as the boys tried to figure 
out whether they would remain on British territory long, or whether 
France was to be the first active training center. 



3rd CLASS 

FRENCH COMPARTMENT 

COACH 





SIDE-DOOR PULLMAN 

SPECIAL 

TRAVEL A LA MODE 

IN FRANCE 



INTERIOR 

FRENCH BOX CAR 

BATTERY D ENROUTE 



^*l^ 


'-31 


IT 


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^K 


■ 


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BSHiiiS 


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1 






Si^Mll^ 




A REAL 

AMERICAN SPECIAL 

NEW YORK TO CAMP DIX 



CHAPTER XIII. 

A BRITISH REST CAMP. 

At 9 p. m., it was yet day-light. The boys were weary and tired 
as the troop train on the London and Southwestern railway pulled 
into a station, the sign-boards of which gave the name as Romsey. 
Orders to detrain were passed along. 

All soldiers and packs were soon off the train ; then, line-up as 
per usual, and march, first under a stone railroad bridge, through the 
town, soon to strike a highway leading out of the town. 

The pack on the back got heavier every minute, but the march 
continued ; one mile, two miles, then along the stretch, of the third 
there appeared scenes of buildings and tents. Post-signs glared the 
information that Camp Woodley had been reached. There appeared 
to be many parts to the camp. Battery D did not stop at the first, 
nor the second, but halt was made at what was designated as C Camp. 

It was a welcome order that allowed the troops to fall-out along 
the road-side as official parlance was started with the powers that 
ruled the destinies of C Camp. The vicinity was closely guarded by 
American M. P.'s., who proceeded to communicate stories, savoring 
the good, bad, and indifferent prospects of the abode that was to 
shelter the 311th for one night at least. "It's a rest camp", they said. 
The w'ords sounded peaceful to the tired troops assembled. It re- 
quired only one day, however, to find out that the only part of a soldier 
that got rest at a "rest-camp" was the stomach. 

The hour was almost 10:30 when it was finally decided what 
area Battery D was to occupy for the night. C Camp was a tented 
camp, the tents being spacious enough to comfortably house about 
four army cots for a healthy soldier to rest his weary bones on. The 
cots, however, w^ere missing. Battery D was marched down the main 
road of the selected area. Halt was made at the first tent. Twenty- 
six men were ordered inside. The remainder continued to the next 
tent in order where twenty-six more were registered for the night ; 
and so on down the roster, until Battery D was under canvass. 

The battery cooks and details were put to work immediately to 
prepare something to eat, but a majority of the soldiers either got 
tired waiting or else had such a hard job finding what was prepared 
that they wended their way through the tented city and after con- 
siderable wandering found the tent wherein they were to be one of 
the twenty-six registered for the night. 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 59 

Twenty-six men and twenty-six packs in one tent. Crowding 
was more than a necessity ; it was a torture, as was soon evinced 
when twenty-six men stretched themselves out on the board floor of 
the tent for the seeming purpose of sleeping. Extra blankets had 
been drawn from the quartermaster, which, combined with the blan- 
kets the soldier carried in his pack, furnished mattress and coverings 
for the sweet but hard repose. No blue-print diagram was furnished 
as to how the sleeping space was to be alotted in twenty-six portions ; 
with the result that one fellow was awakened out of a sweet dream of 
eating pie and cake, to find his buddy's feet pushing him in the face. 

Reveille sounded at C Camp Woodley at 7 :20 o'clock on the 
morning of August ist, when Battery D received its first taste of 
British mess. Details of varied description were furnished from the 
battery roster, while the battery spent most of the first day in camp 
trying to figure out the English system of mess. The outfit was as- 
signed places at tables, by squads, in mess-tents. Two from each 
squad were delegated a committee to go to the kitchen and bring on 
the chow. 

For breakfast the committee brought back an iron-bound kettle 
of oatmeal ; another kettle of prunes and a quantity of bread. The 
system then was one of "help yourself and pass it on," which was all 
right for the fellow at the head of the table, but the fellows on the 
opposite end had to do the figuring. 

The same procedure was followed at noon when slum was served 
Night mess in England invariably was cheese and tea and jam, which 
was always good as far as it went. The entire 311th regiment was 
served from one kitchen. It was good fortune that the Americans 
had individual mess kits with them and that there occurred no sani- 
tary inspections of said eating utensils while in C Camp where fifteen 
hundred mess kits were washed in a two by four bucket. 

During the first day in an English camp many of the soldiers 
slipped past the M. P.'s and made their way to the town ; a quaint 
market town and municipal borough, numbering almost 4.000 in- 
habitants, in the New Forest Parliamentary division of Hampshire. 
As far as sight seeing, the only thing of interest in the town was an 
old abbey. Cafes were numerous, while English ale signs were more 
numerous. 

An American Y. M. C. A. was housed under canvas at Camp 
Woodley. The workers in charge prepared a royal entertainment, 
while the regimental band gave a concert the second night of the 



6o THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

soldiers' stay in camp. Members of a Romsey dramatic club furnished 
the entertainment. Towards the close the band struck up. "The Star 
Spangled Banner," then, "God Save the King." The Romsey enter- 
tainers started to sing their National Anthem, while the Americans 
joined in with, "My Country 'Tis of Thee." All that was needed to 
complete the effect of the Babel scene was John J. jlosky and Otto 
Skirkie to sing, "Down Where the Green River Flows." 

Reveille for Friday, August 2nd, had been set for 7 130 a. m. All 
heads were awakened by the bugle at 6:45 o'clock that morning. No 
one in Battery D stirred. The impression was that the call was for 
another outfit. Six fifty-five found First Sergeant James J. Farrell 
going from tent to tent to find out the cause of the silence. Then 
there was great hustling to get out in line and many a woolen puttee 
was missing that morning. 

The day was destined to be a rough one. It was raining at 
reveille call and still raining when call was sounded at 9 130 o'clock 
for a hike. The hike was started and continued for three miles, so 
did the rain. The longer the soldiers walked the faster it rained. 
The scenery was beautiful through the stretch of pleasantly situatdi 
country in the rich \alley of the Test. Picturesque English home- 
steads, set amid hedges and roses, with moss-overgrown thatched 
roofs, dotted the wayside. At a cross-roads the battery halted for 
rest. Along the road came a baker's wagon. There was a raid on its 
gingerbread cookies. The bakerman reaped a harvest of good Ameri- 
can quarters for every three cookies he handed out. 

Drenched through slicker, et al, the soldiers retraced their step 
to Camp Woodley, the beauties of the flowery countryside being lost 
to a majority by the far-soaking rain. When Tieut. Hugh Clarke dis- 
missed the watery battery admonition was added for everybody to 
change to dry clothing. But, alas, the advice was far better than 
expedient. The only clothes the soldiers possessed at the time were 
wet on their backs. Their extra uniform and clothing was in the'r 
barrack-bags, which had not been seen since leaving Camp Meade. 
No fire was available. The only open course was to let the clothes dry 
on the back. The boys of Battery D spent a very lonely afternoon, 
sitting in the tents, with wet clothes. And, it continued raining en th: 
outside. 

When the battery drew individual rations, consisting of one can 
of corned-beef; a hunk of cheese; a box of hard bread and a can of 
jam, at 9:30 o'clock, Saturday morning, August 3rd, the sun was 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 6i 

shining and the day was waxing warm. Under full pack the com- 
mand started for the seaport of Southampton. 

Romsey is seven miles Northwest of Southampton by the London 
and Southwest railway, but the 311th did not take the L. & S. W. 
The hob-nail limited was the official troop train and the route covered 
nine miles by winding road. 

It was on this hike that "Corona" became lost. David B. Koenig, 
the battery clerk, was the chaperon of "Corona." But he could not 
carry her all the way, so the boys took turns at carrying the precious 
thing. During one of the rest-halts, however, some one left poor 
little "Corona" lay by the roadside. When her disappearance was 
discovered it was necessary for Lieut. Clarke to hike back several 
miles and find the lost. "Corona" was the battery typewriter. 

Southampton was reached at 12:30 o'clock. Stop was made at 
the British rest camp at the Commons where refreshments, in addi- 
tion to the cheese and jam rations, were secured at the British Y. M. 
C. A. canteen. At 2 p. m. that day it started to rain and at 2:15 
the regiment resumed its march and reached the docks at 3:15 o'clock. 

It was a regiment of tired soldiers who sat on their packs in 
the big warehouse pier at Southampton waiting for word to go up th^ 
gang-plank of the vessel that was to take them across the English 
Channel. 

"The King Edward" was the name of the channel-going vessel 
that drew alongside the pier late in the afternoon. It was a cute- 
looking boat, just big enough to transport Battery D across the chan- 
nel in comfort. At 6:30 p. m.. Battery D and 1200 other members 
of the 311th were loaded on the King Edward. Everybody had a 
pleasant time. No space went to waste, whatever. Some tried to 
sleep during the long n'ght that ensued while standing against a post 
and others tried to strap themselves to the ceiling with their cartridge 
belts. In general the scene was like unto a large meat-cooler in a 
butcher shop, with the exception that the ship furnished life-preservers 
instead of meat-hooks and the temperature was the extreme of zero. 

Convoyed by several destroyers with piercing search lights, which 
scanned the same waters that held the dead of the Hospitalsh'p Wal- 
rilda, which was torpedoed in the English Channel while conveying 
wounded back to England, the King Edward started on its dash 
across the channel at 8:30 p. m., on the night of the day that the 
Walrilda met its fate. 



62 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

The troops huddled together in the small hatches of the King 
Edward did not have much thought where they were or whither 
bound. They did not recall at the time that they were passing the Isle 
of Wight and the spot in the English Channel that witnessed the 
defeat of the Armada in the same month, back in the year 1588. 

Sufficient unto the night was the misery thereof. Sea sickness 
came over quite a few, which was duly abetted by the stifling air. 
Those near the hatch-ways were fortunate in getting to the deck- 
rails wdien their inner recesses were most severely tempest-tossed. 
Those who were hemmed in on all sides by human forms, who lay 
stretched on the stairs, in hallways, benches and wherever there was 
an inch of space, had a difficult time when they attempted to find a 
passage way through the closely matted carpet of humanity. 

Col. C. G. Mortimer, the regimental commander, came down 
from his station on the deck and found it well-nigh impossible to get 
through the corridor of the forward saloon. 

Through the hours of the long night the King Edward was con- 
voyed across the channel at a speed nearing 25 knots an hour. Early 
morning of Sunday, August 4th, drew the King Edw^ard near the 
shores of Northern France. At 2 p. m. the ship approached a harbor, 
but it was not until daylight that those on board could see a sign on 
a warehouse of a pier, bearing the name Cherbourg. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

SO THIS IS FRANCE! 
"So this is France !" 

For the first time the boys of Battery D repeated this phrase in all 
its reality as they stood upon elevated ground in the vicinity of the 
British Rest Camp at Cherbourg and viewed the vista of harbor, four 
miles distant, where, from the gang-plank of the King Edward they 
set foot on French soil on Sunday morning, August 4th, at 8 o'clock. 

The panorama presented the naval and commercial harbors, from 
which Cherbourg, the seaport of Northwestern France, derives its 
chief importance. The eye can see the three main basins, cut out of 
the rock, with an erea of fifty-five acres, which forms the naval har- 
bor and to which are connected dry-docks ; the yards where the largest 
ships in the French navy are constructed ; magazines and the various 
workshops required for an arsenal of the French navy. 

A glance about reveals surrounding hills, in which batteries are 
located in fortification of the works and the town. 

A second glance toward the harbor shows a large naval hospital 
close to the water's-edge, at the mouth of the Divette, on a small bay 
at the epex of the indentation formed by the Northern shore of the 
Penninsula of Cotentin. There is also at the mouth of Divette, the 
commercial harbor, connecting with the sea by a channel. This har- 
bor consists of two parts, an outer harbor and an inner basin. Out- 
side these harbors is the triangular bay, which forms the road-stead 
of Cherbourg. 

The bay is admirably sheltered by the land on three sides, while 
on the North it is sheltered by a large breakwater, which is protected 
and leaves passage for vessels. The passages are guarded by forts 
placed on islands intervening between the breakwater and the main- 
land, and themselves united to the mainland by breakwaters. 

Glimpses of the town of Cherbourg which the boys received as 
they hiked the four miles from the docks to the rest camp, through 
narrow and crooked streets, revealed no buildings of special interest, 
apart from the church of La Trinite dating from the 15th century; a 
statue of the painter J. F. Millet, born near Cherbourg, stands in the 
public gardens and there is an equestrian statue of Napoleon I in the 
square named after him. After reaching the rest camp the soldiers 



64 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

were unable to get down to the town again, although they had been 
told that the Hotel de Vllle housed a rich collection of paintings. 

It was at 10 a. m. when the regiment arrived at the British Rest 
Camp at Cherboiirg. Halt was made on a large parade ground in 
front of a Y. M. C. A. hut. The boys stretched themselves on the 
ground while search was instituted for the area the ouifit was to 
occupy at its second rest camp. 

Rest had just been commanded a few minutes when the command 
to "fall-in" was sounded. Everybody hustled to their feet, shouldered 
the heavy pack and awaited the next order. 

"About-Face" was ordered. And the regiment obsyed. "Rest" 
was next. This was the hrst time in the history of the battery that 
it was necessary to shoulder packs to execute an about-face. 

The camp consisted of dome-shaped, sheet-iron barracks and 
tented areas. After an hour's wait Battery D was ass'gned to the 
13th row of Section C of the tented area. Tents were pyramid in 
shape. Fourteen men were crowded into each tent that was ori- 
ginally intended for eight. 

By laying in wheel formation, with fourteen pairs of feet meet- 
ing at the center pole, the boys rested themselves on the board floors 
of the tents that night. There was no room for packcarriers and 
other paraphanelia in the tents. Most of the soldiers deposited their 
excess luggage on the outside. About midnight it started to rain. 
There was a scurry to get the equipment in out of the rain, which 
also disturljed the sweet slumbers as water trickled in under the can- 
vass or else came through leaks in the roof. 

Reveille sounded at 5 130 the next morning. Orders were given 
for packs to be rolled preparatory to moving. A move was made from 
Section C to row 19 of D Section of the same tented area. The re- 
mainder of the morning was set apart for Battery D to take a bath. 
The soldiers' bath had been a negligible quantity since leaving Camp 
Meade, with the exception of some few who attempted to work up a 
lather with salt water on the Morvada. To the boys, therefore, the 
prospect of a good bath was hailed with delight. 

No dressing room was attached to the bathhouse that was situated 
at one end of the Cherbourg rest camp. Therefore the boys had to 
make ready for the bath in their tents. With slickers and shoes on the 
battery lined up and marched to the bathhouse, while the rain came 
down and the wind was wont to play with the flaps of the raincoats, 
as a battery of bare-legs was exposed to the elements. 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 65 

Arrived at the bathhouse, it was discovered that the showers 
would accommodate eight at one time. The first squad in fine went 
into the water sanctum, while everybody else waited their turn on the 
outside. 

The showers consisted of three half-inch p'pes suspended from 
the ceiling. There were three lengths of pipe, each length being per- 
forated at two places to emit the shower of water. The perforations 
comprised about four holes, each hole about one-sixteenth of an inch 
in diameter. 

The first eight who entered the bathhouse were eager to get under 
the showers and consecjuently did not glance about to inspect the 
equipment of the room. The eight soldiers braced themselves under 
the showers and yelled for the man in charge to turn on the water. 
Instead of being washed away by the force of the current, as the 
firmly braced attitute of each gave evidence that such was to be the 
case, the opening wide of the flood-gates let four needle-like streams 
of water descend upon each figure. 

The eight took the bath good-naturedly and as they passed out of 
the bathhouse, making room for the next eight to enter, they passed 
word along the end of the waiting line to the effect that it would be 
just as expedient to take ofif the slicker and stand out in the rain, that 
was still falling. 

The same evening orders to leave the rest camp came forth. At 
6 p. m. the regiment was assembled on the parade ground and soon 
started its march back over the four miles, through Cherbourg, to 
the railroad yards of the Ouest-Etat railway, which skirted the docks. 

Arri\ed there at 7:45 p. m.. sections of French trains were as- 
sembled ready to receive the soldiers. This assemblage of coaches 
was of infinitely greater variety than those of English ownership. Third 
class coaches were in evidence, but of greater import were the box 
cars containing the inscription, "40 Hommes or 8 Chevaux." 

Forty men or eight horses may have been the official capacity 
but when forty soldiers with equipment C were assigned to such a 
car to spend the night and several succeeding nights, all that was 
needed to make sardines was a little oil. 

Several sections of the battery were fortunate in securing third- 
class accommodations, but the remainder prepared to settle themselves 
in the box cars, the majority of which cars turned out to have flat 
wheels as the journey started. 



66 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

Daylight remained abroad for the first two hours of the journey; 
while the cars jolted over the rails the boys sang and kept alive the 
spirit. Then came darkness. No lights in the car. Forty men 
stretched out in a small box-car. Incidently it might be added that a 
French box-car is about one-half the size of similar type of car used 
on the railroads in the United, States. It wasn't fair to kick your 
buddy in the face or get on his ear. The night, however, gradually 
wore on and the towns of Valognes, Isigny and Manche St. Lo, were 
passed. Thence out .of the Manche department, through the railroad 
center at Vire, in Calvados, the special, with its side-door Pullmans, 
rolled on, enroute through Flers, Coutenne and Pre during the early 
hours of the morning of August 6th. Daylight dawned as Alencon 
was reached and at ii :30 a. m., Le Mans loomed in sight. A half- 
hour's ride from Le Mans and an half-hour lay-over was ordered. 
The troops were allowed to alight for the time. A supply of iron 
rations was also furnished each car from the supply car of the special. 

The next stop was made at Tours from 6 to 8 p. m. A short 
lay-over was also made at Poitiers at ii p. m. The troop special was 
then nearing its destination. But few on board were aware that at 
the end of the next thirty-four kilometers 'was Montmorillon, in the 
department of \"ienne, which was to be the stopping off place of 
Battery D for a stay of several weeks. 

The troop special of thirty-five coaches and box cars, pulled into 
the station at Montmorillon at i a. m. ; all was quiet about the station. 
A majority of the soldiers were too tired to care about location. They 
slumbered on as best they could in their box-car berths, while the 
special was pulled in on a siding, to remain until dayl'ght when the 
order to detrain was to be issued. 



PajMterU FontdafttUo 



MONTMORILLQN (Vitnnt). - U Garc 




MONTMORILLON STATION 
Where Battery D Detrained in France After Leaving British Rest Camp 

at Cherbourg. 




MOSTMORILLON iKj>,i/,f) — La Soui-Prejulure 








MONTMORILLON STREET SCENE 

Building Marked X was Billet for Half of the Battery During the First Month 

Spent on French Soil. 



CHAPTER XV. 

WHITE TROOPS INVADE MONTMORILLON. 

Dotted with quaint architecture of I2th and 13th century Roman- 
escjue and Gothic design, the hills of X^ienne department, France, 
cradle the crystal-clear and drowsy-moxing waters of the Gartempe, 
a river, which in its course winds through the town of Montmorillon, 
where four thousand French peasantry, on August 7th, received their 
first lesson in American cosmopolitism. 

Montmorillon, where the hoys of Battery D were billeted for 
the first time in the midst of the French people; where they received 
their first impressions on French life and mannerisms, lives in memory 
of the boys as the prettiest, cleanest and most-comfortable place of 
any the outfit visited during its sojourn in France. 

Despite the fact that a feeling of strained hospitality attended 
the reception of the 311th Artillery, the first body of white American 
troops to visit Montmorillon, the cloud of suspicion was soon lifted 
and four weeks of smiling August sunshine days, undarkened by 
rainclouds. were spent along the banks of the Gartempe. 

When the 311th troops alighted from the troop special early on 
the morning of their arrival, the station and avenues of approach to 
th2 town were guarded by American negro M. P.'s, members of the 
164th Artillery Brigade, who had arrived in the town several weeks 
previous and had made themselves at home with the natives. 

The 311th was not in Montmorillon many days before the ex- 
planation of the half-hearted reception came to light. An element of 
negro troops had started the story on its rounds among the guileless 
French peasants that the white troops, who had just arrived, com- 
prised the "Scum of America," and that they (the negroes) were the 
real Americans ; the whites being the so-called "American Indians." 
As the flames of gossip spread from tongue to tongue, admonition 
was added that the white arrivals were dangerous and corrupt and the 
French should refrain from associating with the new arrivals. 

Thus there was created an intense and bitter racial feeling that 
loomed gigantic and threatened open racial hostilities as the white 
and colored American troops traveled the same streets of a foreign 
village; were admitted to the same cafes and vied with each other for 
the friendship of the French populace. 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 69 

Street fights were not infrequent, while scenes in cafes were 
enacted wherein white refused to sit in the same room with colored 
troops or vice-versa. 

Persisting in their set standard of chivalry, the element of the 
white soldiers often took it as ordained to induce the French demo- 
iselles to leave the company of their opposite in blood. Many of the 
colored troops were equally persistent, with the result that the breach 
of ill-feeling gaped bigger, until official cognizance came to bear. 

Within a short time the 164th Brigade was withdrawn from 
Montmorillon, leaving the 311th to commence its active and intensive 
course of training on foreign soil. 

On August /th, the day of the 3iith's arrival, the troops waited 
at the station for several hours while the billeting officers were locat- 
ing billets throughout the town. Iron rations were partaken of at 
the station and everybody was glad that battery mess outfits would 
soon set up shop and the American Q. M. system of rationing would 
be resumed. 

The march through the town to the various assigned billeting 
districts was started from the station at 9:30 o'clock. The batteries 
of the regiment were scattered in various billets throughout the town. 
Every vacant house, barn or shed that possibly could be pressed into 
service, was designated as a billet for the troops. 

Battery D continued its march through the town ; across the 
cement bridge over the Gartempe ; into an octagon-shaped intersection 
of public streets, lined with several three-story buildings, the prin- 
cipal one of which gave evidence of being a cafe and bore the sign, 
"Cafe du Commerce." 

Opposite the bridge, the route was along Rue de Strasburg, 
where, in the rear of the Cafe du Commerce, Battery D halted before 
a three-story stone structure that bore signs of having been vacated 
for many years. 

The area billeting officer produced a large key, threw open the 
door and half the battery was ushered inside. It immediately fell 
their task to brush the cow-webs from the ceilings ; gather up the 
fallen plaster from the floor ; sweep out several years' accumulation 
of dirt and dust ; while the old-fashioned shutters were pried open 
for the first time in many years and the sunshine streamed into the 
rooms, to drive away, to some degree, the mustiness of environment. 



70 THE DELTA OE THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

The Other half of the battery was directed to a barn structure 
about a block distant from the first battery abode. Clean-up activities 
of similar nature were instituted in the barn. 

About 3 o'clock that afternoon the barrack bags of the regiment 
were received and distributed to the soldiers. The bags had been 
in transit ever since leaving Camp Meade. 

Arrangements were made with several French farmers to bring 
a quantity of straw to the public square, where the soldiers, later in 
the afternoon, filled their bed ticks. It was on a tick of straw, thrown 
on the floor of the old dilapidated, vacated house, that one hundred of 
the battery spent their nights of sleep in Montmorillon while the 
other half occupied similar beds on the upperTofts of the barn. 

There were no formations the morning after arrival. The battery 
men spent most of the time about town. It was strange to observe 
the peasantry hobbling along in their wooden shoes, the flopping of 
the loose footwear at the heels beating a, rhymtic clap, clap on the 
cobblestone pave. 

Each day brought new scenes of peasant life. Quaintly and 
slowly oxen under yoke were used on the streets to havil the farmers" 
grain to the large public square, where, under the scorching sun the 
farmer and his helpers toiled with hand flailers, thrashing the grain. 
Strange looking carts, drawn by donkeys with large ears, vied with the 
ox-carts for supremacy of traffic. 

Along the river's edge were located public places for clothes- 
washing. The peasant whose house adjoined the river had a private 
place at the water's-edge where the family washing was done. The 
river served as a huge tub for the entire commvmity, the women 
carrying their wash to the river, where, kneeling at special devised 
wash-boards, garments were rubbed and paddled until they shown 
immaculate. 

Washing was greatly increased at the river when the 311th came 
to town. The hundreds of soldiers sought out washer-women. The 
peasant women welcomed the opportunity of earning a few francs 
doing American washing. The more active of the washer-women 
spent entire days washing at the river for the soldiers. At first one 
franc was a standard price for having a week's laundry done, but as 
days passed and business became brisker, rates went up to two, five 
and in some instances higher. 

To the Americans the town of Montmorillon, as was the case of 
most of the ancient towns visited in France, presented an impression 



the; delta of the triple elevens 71 

of isolation. Houses built during the 12th century widi their high 
walls surrounding and barracaded entrances, were greatly in evi- 
dence ; houses of such nature, history records, as furnishing protec- 
tion in the days when feudalism fought at spear-points. The stages 
and wages of war advanced with the centuries, but not so with the 
ancient French town ; where the peasants live content with no^ sewer- 
age or drainage system ; content to pursue the antiquated customs. 
To be thrown in the midst of this 12th century environment was pro- 
ductive of lasting impressions on the part of the American troops who 
were suddenly transplanted from a land of 20th century civilization 
and advancement, to an old and foreign soil. 

The first night the 311th was in Montmorillon fire broke out in 
"The Baines," an ornate and modern French homestead near the 
Cafe du Commerce. Several officers of the 311th regiment had se- 
cured quarters in the Baines. They were forced to vacate by the fire. 
Bucket brigades was the only fire protection the prefecture afforded 
its citizenry. The fire drew a large crowd of the new soldiers, a 
score of whom took active charge of fighting the blaze; giving the 
Frenchmen a real exhibition in the art of bucket-brigade fire ex- 
tinction. 

Time, however, was not to view French scenery. Training 
activity was the official topic of interest. It was decreed that instruc- 
tion in the school of the soldier should begin immediately. Fifty 
per cent of the regiment comprised new recruits, who had been as- 
signed to the outfit previous to departure from Camp Meads. It was 
necessary to begin the training at the beginning. 

Out from the town, among the open farm lands, a large grain 
field was secured as a drill field for the battery. It required a thirty - 
five minute hike from the battery billeting area to reach the drill 
field. This hike was in order every morning and afternoon. The 
time on the drill field was spent in learning the rudiments in much the 
same manner as the training was started and progressed with the 
first recruits at Camp Meade. 

When 4 o'clock of each afternoon came, the order was estab- 
lished for a swim in the river as the parting day's rejuvenator. Mont- 
morillon was the only place in France where the battery got frequent 
baths. 

Saturday morning for the troops at Montmorillon was generally 
inspection time. Inspections were held on the pul)lic plaza. Show- 
down inspections were as exacting as Camp Meade days. Saturday 



03 :!v-. ., -- .r- -- - , --^ --,->:- :s S 

V^xscTo? sricvSi? icir inscrocixm vvi list csScer? <>3 xhe i^ec^wni 



r:vc^ :^i :r^„...- >,.,.. ^^^ --^ .- -. ~:.> .-.„.^ - ,:> 

iju: vrci Tiricje ^it? i^eg-plaT orooer? £Ti«3K3?d lije sdix^s^ >ecvB>d 

1-'^-: >'.-r-'i^T F, Bcnner: cf : : ^iras a5!5%T)ed to Bai- 

Ter' - — ^ -^-^- — .- ^-£5 *: — -----. - -A-ca-k in 53:5^- ~--"c *^i* 

■wnm cTt. . "'sn-. He YaTkH3 in? rencvi? . .->d 

— — ; -ai5y,~ '"CTi>ir and Craue," "?.i.. -v -..Qd 

. . - ir 55^-"^n rciares:? iirer*' isuiuijed in iiriih 

A isazr-err Jdrrieru r . . . ""£r2|^e, ^era? ??: xjp zn close 

rrr^cirrrrr t: ::ije two ru.::. ..-i.-. ..t^^ :d3e bey? iinevi in> laniii 
tijer- rDrSf— rr? "mre^ rme? a «:^y They set ccn in "nje xarrfwr Fnendi 
fcresi £> Te?^ ikiae Tirene ii*e rne?- e? 

. wev«r, Tfisen ttistj from The - Siares and 

isccne i*e^!sn to Tcach :ai? oansi- The £r5i despsxcii 01 acsazl to reaci 
xiarrery r> crerfsea? ^sra? ai McanDocr-Iioc: cm Atj^iasi i^sii- 

Tben em Aiarn?: ^-" — — -- --- --^- - T^fseas payday, Ti^ nax- 

Tery sjsnjr^r? irere y. -sn psr cenT for foirc^?! 

serx^ire. The :Sr5i pay "era? 3n French nxmency. The rate of cxdaanire 
ai lie ~Trn e ^eEn|^ 5 ^45 iiEacs n* ibe Ass^ncan ociSaT, 

\\~be-: F-— ~~ -'z-assrr? -^ : " ' VbciJe day fi>r severa] franc? 
amd iTTw^ TJ:-- : ibe Frz er "was noi einazlhnij cme iranT 



THK DELTA Of THE TRIPLE ELE\XXS J^ 

a <^lay, the French, when the .\merican private was paid S33 a month 
in f/fj-^S trancs, gained the idea that all American:; were millionaires. 
The result was the estahli^^hment of two standarrls of price in French 
shops ; one price for the French and a higher price for the Americans. 

Souvenir postcards sold anywhere from 10 centimes to five francs 
apiece. In the matter of fruits, peaches commanded one franc for 
three during the peach season ; apples sold two for one franc ; while 
tomatoes that should have sold for otie franc a basket, brought one 
franc for five. 

The soldiers were allowed to Ije on the streets until 9 o'clock 
each night. Many spent their monej' freely. The wine shops did a 
thriving business and as is usual in large crowds, the element wa5 
present that was not satisfied with sampling the large assortment of 
wine-vintages but indulged in Cognac. Strict disciplinar)- measures 
were immediately adopted. Se\-eral of the first offenders, none of 
whom, however, were from Batter)- D ranks, were reduced in rank 
at a public battalion formation on the public square. 

The cognac proclivities of the few endangered the privileges of 
the many in having freedom to visit in the town at night. Batter\' 
punishment was inflicted at times, which constituted carrj-ing a full 
pack on the back at drill formation or for a certain period after dril' 
hours. 

Toward the latter part of August steps were taken to organize 
a battery commander's detail. Lieut. Hugh M. Clarke took charge of 
the instruction work. Special instruction was started in map and 
road sketching, orientation and signal work. The batter)- in general 
was also put through a strenuous course in the use of the semaphore 
and the wigwag. 

On Augu.st 2 1st the regiment passed in review on the large r^i- 
mental drill ground, under a burning sun. The swim in the river at 
the close of that day was especially inviting. 

While in Montmorillon Lieut. Sidney F. Bennett instituted a 
series of battalion and regimental setting-up exercises. Calesthenics. 
to the music of the regimental band, was the feature of the exercises. 

The long hike to the grain field drill ground was abandoned after 
two weeks and the village plaza was used for drill purposes. About 
this time several French army sergeants were attached to the regi- 
ment and instruction in gun pit construction was started. Details 
were kept busy for several days digging gun pits near the r^mental 



74 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

drill grounds, but before the job was fully completed orders came for 
the regiment to leave Montmorillon. 

Present day reminiscences vouch for the fact that the stay in 
Montmorillon was most pleasant. The weather had been ideal 
throughout the month of August. Except for a detachment from the 
regiment who replaced the negro M. P.'s no guard duty was necessary 
in the town. During the first week of September. 1918, however, 
all that the boys had to compare their lots and life in Montmorillon 
with was Camp Meade regime. In the light of this comparison many 
expressed words of approval that the outfit was finally getting awav 
from such a horrid place. Those who failed to see the good points of 
Montmorillon, moreover, were without knowledge of what the future 
held in store for the outfit in its journey through France. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

ACTIVE TRAINING AT LA COURTINE. 

La Courtine, a vilkge in the Department of Creuse. France, is 
surrounded by hilly country, the very nature of the hills affording 
ideal artillery range. La Courtine, therefor, was the site of a French 
artillery camp for many years. 

The village is divided into two parts ; that which is gathered 
around a progressive looking station, and part is on a hill, which pan 
is called Hightown. Both parts are confined to one street, replete with 
bars and cafes. 

It was to La Courtine that the 311th was bound after leaving 
Montmorillon. The French had turned the artillery camp over to 
the Americans and thither the 311th regiment was sent to get active 
and intense training in range fire with the use of the French 75's. 

The troop special assigned to the regiment upon leaving Mont- 
morillon was made up of box cars, many of which had recently been 
used to transport crude oil, evinced by the oil on the floor of the cars. 
Onto every box car was loaded anywhere from 36 to 50 soldiers and 
a supply of iron-rations for the trip. 

Montmorillon was last seen at 10 a. m., September 4th, when the 
trip of box cars began to jolt and bang and back and switch over the 
rails, with the troops aboard making the best of the situation, reclining 
on straw that had been secured to partly cover the crude oil. 

The route was through Dorat, Gueter, Busseau and Feletin. La 
Courtine was reached at 9 o'clock. As per usual the first few sec- 
tions of the battery were left at the station as a baggage detail, while 
the remainder of the battery marched through the village to the camp 
on the outskirts. 

The camp consisted of concrete barracks, with no lights at night 
and a majority of the windows broken. The floor and ceiling, how- 
ever, was solid, which, at least, meant dry shelter during the nights of 
France's rainy season, soon to be experienced. 

Besides having a majority of the window panes broken, the 
barracks bore marks of having been the target for machine-gun bul- 
lets. The exterior walls were pitted with holes. Battery D was not 
in camp long before the members knew the story of the Russian re- 
volt that had been staged at La Courtine during the days of Russia's 
exit from the war. When Russia withdrew from the fighting Camp 



76 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

La Courtine sheltered Russian troops. When the crash came part of 
the Russian army encamped there revoked against a portion that 
sought to remain loyal to France. The result was battle. The re- 
volutionists fortified the surrounding hills with machine-guns and 
opened fire on the barracks of the camp below. Many Russians were 
slain in the revolt and lie buried in a cemetery in the camp. The re- 
volt was finally suppressed by a detachment of French calvary dis- 
patched to the scene. 

Sleeping quarters at Camp La Courtine contained bunks made of 
two-inch plank, on which the Americans used their bed-ticks filled 
with straw. 

Battery kitchens were set up the morning after arrival. Ths 
kitchens were located under a tented roof. Mess was enjoyed by the 
soldiers out in the open, as there was no mess hall for Battery D. 

Except a slight rain the first day at Montmorillon, the four weeks 
spent by the outfit in Vienne Department were weeks of sunshine 
without a single day of rain, save the slight shower on the day of 
arrival. It was the declining days of the French dry-season. Advent 
of the outfit at La Courtine was with the rainy season. It rained 
the first night in camp and it kept raining almost continuously during 
the two months the battery spent at range practice. 

The weather, however, affected no training schedules. The first 
days at La Courtine were given over to hours of intensive exercise, 
drill and instruction in all lines of artillery work. Specialty schools 
were started in orientation, telephone, radio, machine-gunners, etc. 

It was at La Courtine that Bill Brennan and Joe Loskill, whc 
accompanied the advance detail of the regiment to France, rejoined 
the battery. They had arrived at La Courtine several weeks previous 
to attend the machine-gun school. The machine-gunners, who left 
the battery at Montmorillon to attend the school, were also at La 
Courtine when the battery arrived. 

Instruction was continued from early morning until night-fall. 
A large Russian cannon was discharged in the camp each morning at 
5 o'clock, alfo at retreat time each night. Reveille was a daily forma- 
tion but, as was the case at Montmorillon, retreat was suspended dur- 
ing the months the war continued. All energy was devoted to essen- 
tial war-training formations. 

Camp La Courtine housed a large and well-equipped American 
Y. M. C. A., presided over by a large and capable staff of secretaries. 
To a majority of the troops the Y. M. C. A. furnished greater induce- 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS JJ 

ment for an evening's entertainment than did the numerous wine- 
shops down town, that always stood open and ready to receive the 
cash of the American soldiers. 

On September loth materiel began to arrive for the regiment. 
Within a few days the regiment was equipped with French artillery 
equipment, the field pieces being the famous French 75 millimetre 
guns. 

It was the first time that a majority of the boys of the regiment 
ever came in contact with a 75. During the period of training at 
Cam}) Meade, Md., U. S. A., the old members of Battery D spent 
eight months in learning the 3-inch American field gun. It was an 
entirely new proposition when equipped with 75's and ordered to 
range practice. 

Instruction was also started in equitation and harnessing. French 
artillery harness presented many new problems to the Americans. 
Many a soldier became highly exasperated in a vain attempt to un- 
tangle a set of French harness. 

About twenty horses were furnished the regiment at La Courtine. 
Several motor trucks were also supplied, whereby sufficient traction 
was secured to drag the guns out among the surrovmding hills for 
actual firing practice. 

Battery D was not long in getting acciuainted with the French 
75's. On September i6th, just a brief span after the first instruction 
on the mechanism of the gun, the boys fired the first salvos on thi 
range at La Courtine. 

September lyth was the beginning of what was almost incessant 
work on the range. Rolling out at 5 a. m., the boys toiled on the 
range through the rain and mud, returning to barracks at 6:30 p. m. 

Training continued in intensity. September 30th was one of the 
days reveille sounded at 4 130 a. m. The weather was miserable — 
rainy, windy, dreary. The battery left the barracks at day-break and 
hiked to the range with field-packs, to sleep in pup tents on range 
grounds, to be on hand early the following morning. 

Gas masks and steel helmets were additional implements of war 
issued to the soldiers at La Courtine. Then followed hour after hour 
of gas instruction. Gas masks were carried by the battery on all 
hikes and drill formations. Besides adjusting the mask a countless 
number of times a day. a regimental order made it mandatory that 
the masks be worn for at least one-half hour continuously each day. 



78 THE DELTA OE THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

Influenza struck the regiment while encamped at La Courtine 
early in October. On October 5th. the camp Y. M. C. A. was closed 
under quarantine. The quarantine in the regiment was accompanied 
by strict daily inspections. The barrack squad rooms were thoroughly 
cleaned and disinfected each day and all blankets were taken out for 
a daily airing. 

There was a plentiful supply of ammunition at La Courtine. The 
battery spent the days at range practice when thousands of dollars 
worth of shells were fired at a great variety of targets from several 
different battery positions that were established. 

While the battery was fitting itself at range practice, specialists 
were qualifying in all the attendant duties of artillery work. To- 
ward the last of October it looked as though the outfit would soon 
see active service, as perfection in firing was rapidly being reached. 

On October 15th the battery camouflage detail, headed by Sergeanl: 
Leo Delaney, of Pittston, Penna., began the construction of camou- 
flaged gun positions on the range, after which Battery D participated 
in the firing of a brigade problem. 

Several days previous, October nth, William Reynolds, of Potts- 
ville, Penna., was killed when acting as No. i man of the first gun 
crew, in charge of Sergeant James Duffy, of Parsons, Penna. Stand- 
ing in the rear of the piece. Sergeant Duffy had given the command 
to fire. The execution of the command was immediately followed 
by an explosion in the gun's tube, a portion of steel flying and striking 
Private Reynolds , almost decapitating him. Nicholas Young, of 
Pottsville, Penna., acting as Number 2 man on the gun-crew, sus- 
tained a compound fracture of the leg. Gunner-Corporal John Char- 
dell, of Hazleton, Penna., sustained injuries about the body which 
confined him to the camp hospital for several weeks. 

Private Reynolds was buried in the American cemetery at Camp 
La Courtine on Saturday, October 12th, at 2 p. m.. with military 
honors. This first casualty overseas awakened a new cord of sym- 
pathy among the battery members and it was with thoughtful determ- 
ination they turned from the grave of their departed comrade and 
went back to their tasks of preparing for active war. 

Training was continued amid rumors of early departure for 
active battle sectors. As early as October loth orders were received 
for the outfit to prepare to move. Supply wagons, etc., were im- 
mediately packed. Days passed, but no transportation was in sight. 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 79 

Each day the boys looked for an order to entrain, but the R. T. O.'s 
were not heard from. 

Thrilhng news of the final stages of the drives reached the boys 
through the Paris editions of the New York Herald and Chicago 
Tribune, that were sold in the camp each day. The news enthused 
the soldiers and thrilled them with the desire to move forward and 
get in on the grand finale. They had toiled early and late, in all 
kinds of weather, to learn how, and it is natural to presume that a 
red-blooded soldier yearned the opportunity to make use of that 
knowledge acquired with such sacrifice and toil. 

While waiting orders to move the battery took up a new position 
on the range. A brigade firing problem including a night barrage 
was fired on October 21st, with the signal details at work with signal 
rockets. 

The brigade problem, which was the last firing the battery did in 
France, ended on October 30th with the laying down of a defensive 
barrage. The problem rec|uired twenty-four consecutive hours. 

On October 28th, First Lieutenant C. D. Bailey joined the bat- 
tery at La Courtine. Lieut. Bailey was formerly of the ambulance 
service of the French army and the S. S. U., No. 5, and, at that time, 
he was the only man in the regiment entitled to wear a French decora- 
tion. 

Meanwhile the outfit was packed up in the main, and was ready 
to move at short notice. With the approach of November the boys 
thought their movement was assured and plans were laid for a "feed," 
consisting of a pig-roast, to be held on November 2nd. 

Late in the afternoon of November 2nd death claimed First- 
Sergeant James J. Farrell, of Parsons, Penna., who died a victim of 
pneumonia. Sergeant Farrell, who was a regular army service man,- 
was buried at La Courtine on Monday, November 4th. 

The same day, November 4th, another battery member was 
claimed in death by Influenza. He was Private Horace Fardon, of 
Paterson, N. J., who was buried on November 5th. That evening at 
6:55 o'clock Private First-Class Joseph A. Loughran, of Hazleton, 
Penna., fell a victim to pneumonia. Private Loughran was buried 
alongside Private Fardon. on the morning of November 6th. 

Besides paying last military honors to their departed comrades 
the boys spent the days previous to the cessation of the fighting on 
the pistol range, developing their proficiency with side-arms. 



8o THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

On the evening of Wednesday, November 6th, a battery enter- 
tainment was staged in the auditorium of the camp Y. M. C. A. A 
mock trial was the feature of the entertainment. 

On one of the trips to the pistol range, on November 5th, Private 
William Van Campen, of Ridgewood, N. J., walked into a loaded 
hand grenade, which he kicked. The resultant explosion caught him 
in the knee and incapacitated him on the hospital list. Corporal James 
F. Kelly, of Plains, I'enna., almost collided with a grenade on the 
same trip. 

An order was issued, November yth, for front-line packs to be 
rolled ; transportation was in sight. The inevitable delay resulted, 
however. All transportation facilities were busy hauling ammunition 
to the front where the Allies were giving the Germans the rain of 
hre that caused them to think seriously and quick about an armistice. 




ENTRANCE TO CAMP AT LA COURTINE, FRANCE 
Road Leading from the Village Street to the Artillery Camp. The Scene of 
the Armistice Celebration. 




AMERICAN Y. M. C. A. AT CAMP LA COURTINE 

Officers' Mess Hall of French Camp Used as a Recreational Center by the 

American Army. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

NOVEMBER ELEVENTH AT LA COURT INE. 

November nth, 1918, was a memorable clay to the populace of 
La Courtine, France, as was the case in every hamlet, village, town 
or city in the world, when the news was flashed that Germany had 
accepted the terms of an Allied armistice and that fighting was to 
cease at 11 a. m. that day. The armistice that ended the World War 
was signed at 5 a. m., Paris time, and hostilities ceased six hours 
later, which was 6 o'clock Washington time. 

The American troops encamped at La Courtine this eventful 
time received the tidings with great joy. The roads leading from the 
camp to the village were crowded with soldiers who paraded up and 
down in hysterical good humor. The crowds thronged into the vil- 
lage where the one main street was ablaze with celebration. The 
French populace were out to celebrate with the Americans. The 
cafes did a land office business. Wine flowed freely. The French 
kissed the Americans in some instances as the celebrators swayed 
through the street. The band was out. The crowds shouted, yelled, 
sang and cut-up all kinds of antics. 

The scene, however, was similar to that enacted everywhere 
throughout the Allied world. The end of the fighting was officially 
announced and everybody was glad. The same hysterical good humor 
swayed the crowds at La Courtine that prompted like celebrations 
throughout the United States. 

Great as was the enthusiasm and celebration of November nth, 
the b'g gusto of celebration had been spent at La Courtine, as was 
the case everywhere else, on Thursday evening, November 7th, when 
a premature and unofficial announcement of the armistice was made. 

Battery D spent the afternoon of November 7th on the pistol 
range. About 5 o'clock the news quickly spread that a bulletin an- 
nouncing the end of the fighting had been posted at the Y. M. C. A. 
The bulletin was up only a short time when it was removed, with 
the explanation that it was unofficial, also contradicted. 

But the anxious hearers, as was the case everywhere, wanted no 
denials. The enthusiasm of the hour made people speak of the thing 
which they had been hoping for as though it had come true. Conse- 
quently the enthusiasm led to celebration. 

It was a gala night in La Courtine. The days following brought 
sober realization that the end had not yet come. Stern realities of 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS ' 83 

war loomed big in Battery D circles on Saturday. November 9th, 
when a front-line pack inspection was in order. 

A quiet Sunday followed, then, at noon on Monday, November 
nth, came the authentic news of the armistice signing. Joyous cele- 
bration started immediately and assumed its peak during the after- 
noon when special passes were issued to the soldiers to visit in the 
village. The celebration continued until late at night. 

Official recognition of the news was thundered from the cannon 
at Camp La Courtine at retreat, when a royal salute of twenty-one 
guns was fired. 

The following day was also an off day for Battery D. Passes to 
visit the town were issued to half the outfit from reveille to 3 p. m., 
while the other fifty per cent were given the privilege from 3 p. m. 
until II p. m. 

Word was received that the regiment was to entrain at La Cour- 
tine on November 14th. Preparations were immediately made for a 
farewell banquet. After great preparation by the cooks and the K. 
P.'s, the banquet was staged at 6 o'clock on November 13th, with 
stewed chicken as the mainstay of the menu. A number of the Y. M. 
C. A. girls were guests at the bancpet. 

Thursday, November 14th, the regiment had the task of getting 
its materiel to the station at La Courtine for transportation by rail to 
a new billeting area of France. No one could guess where it was to be 
or what the future held in store for the troops in the way of service 
and training during the months that were sure to intervene before it 
was a question of homeward bound. 

The regiment was well supplied with materiel, but had no horses. 
A number of motor trucks were sought out to haul the heavier of the 
supply wagons. It was necessary for the soldiers to furnish the power 
to drag the guns and caissons from the camp to the station, a distance 
of over a mile. 

The materiel was loaded on flat cars at the station. Then the 
soldiers were ushered to side-door Pullmans once again. Bed ticks were 
not emptied of their straw before leaving camp. Thus the soldiers 
entered the box cars with their bed ticks as a mattress to recline on 
the floor of the car. 

The first section of flat cars and box cars with Battery D left La 
Courtine at 2.30 o'clock. Another seeing France by box-car trip 
was on. 



84 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

An improvement in mess enroute was experienced during this 
trip. A flat car was used for the rolling kitchen. Hot meals were 
prepared in transit. Back over the same route, through Feletin and 
Abusson, to the junction point at Busseau. the troop special proceeded, 
reaching the junction at 6.30 o'clock when mess call was sounded. 
Here the first section of the train waited until 8.2/ for the arrival of 
the second section at the junction point. 

It was dark when the trip was resumed. Deprived by the dark- 
ness from s'ght-seeing privileges, all that remained for the troops to 
do was to stretch out on the floor and try to sleep. The nights were 
long and dark while traveling in a French box car. 

During the night the towns of Jarnages and Montlucon were 
passed. The train entered the Department of Allier, traveling North- 
east, through Commentry, V'illefranche, le Montel and Moulins. 

Daylight was breaking by the time Moulins was sighted. Stop 
was made at Faray le Monial from 7.30 to (S a. m., when Ijreakfast 
was served from the flat truck dining car. 

The next day, November 15th, was spent traveling through a 
beautiful stretch of country. The railroad ran almost parallel with the 
Boninoe river, a branch of the Loire. Through pasture lands and 
farming country, the road stretched along Palinges, Montceau, Changy. 
Beaune. A layover for lunch was made at Nuits St. Georges at i p. m. 

In the afternoon stop was made at Dijon, where the troops got a 
chance to detrain and partake of refreshments that a corps of French 
Red Cross workers served at the station. 

Soon after leaving Dijon darkness fell upon the troop special. 
The sun had not yet gone to rest. The famous tunnel between Somm- 
bernont and Blaizy-Bas had been penetrated. This tunnel, on the road 
to Paris, may be a note-worthy piece of engineering skill, but it^ 
designers e\-idently never dreamed of a troop special of thirty or forty 
old box cars, many with rust-corroded doors that could not be closed, 
whizzing through ; leaving the passengers to eat up the exhaust from 
the smoke stacks of the locomotive. 

At this time the troop train was headed Northwest, toward Paris, 
but hopes of getting near Gay Paree were soon shattered. When 
Nuits sous Ravieres was reached, switch over to another branch was 
made and the direction then was Northeast, toward Chaumont, the 
A. E. F. headquarters town. 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS ' 85 

Stop for night mess was made at Les Laumes, where orders were 
also issued for the troops to get their packs ready as the outfit would 
detrain in about three hours time. 

A heavy frost developed that night and the troops almost froze 
in the boxcars. After delay in getting started from Les Laumes the 
journey continued over a considerable longer period than three hours. 
Laigne and St. Colombre were passed and La Tracey, the detraining 
point, was reached at 3 a. m., Saturday, November i6th, 1918. 

Reveille was not sounded until 6 a. m. During the interim most 
of the troops left the boxcars and built fires in the railroad yards, 
around which they sought warmth during the early morning hours. 

The hustle to get all the materiel from the flat trucks started at 
6 o'clock. A section of a motor transportation corps was dispatched 
to La Tracey to convey the regiment to its new billeting district. The 
motor outfit was late in arriving, but finally start was made. Three 
and four guns and caissons were attached to each truck, the truck 
loaded with soldiers and packs, then for a thirty kilometer race through 
the Marne Department in motorized artillery form. The last detail 
did not leave La Tracey until 4 p. m. 

The first details arrived at \'ille sous La Ferte, a small village in 
the Department of Aube. This village was the billeting center for the 
2nd Battalion of the regiment. Regimental headquarters was estab- 
lished at Clairvaux, four kilometers from Ville sous Le Ferte. The 
1st Battalion went to juvancourt, about a kilometer distant. 

Farm lands and vineyards surrounded these villages. The inhabi- 
tants were of the quiet peasant type. With nothing of interest and no 
form of amusement, Ville sous La Ferte was a quiet place for Bat- 
tery D. The battery was divided among a score of barns, lofts, sheds 
and houses, covering considerable lergth of a village street. A grist 
mill with its water-wheel and mill-pond was situated near the building 
in which the battery office was established. All formations were 
assembled in the street in front of the battery office. Difficulty was 
experienced during the stay at this place in getting the battery out at 
all formations, especially those members who were billeted in the loft 
of a barn at the extreme end of the battery street. As a remedy the 
battery buglers were given the job of traversing the street each morn- 
ing and routing out the fellows. 

It was mid-November. The days and evenings were getting 
damp and chilly. Fires were comfortable things those days, but heat- 
ing stoves were unknown to the peasant homes of \^ille sous La Ferte. 



86 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

The houses were equipped with fire-places. The big question, how- 
ever, was to procure fuel. It was all the battery could do to get a 
supply of wood from nearby woodlands to supply the needs of the bat- 
tery kitchen. At first the fellows started to make raids on the wood 
pile that came in for the kitchen, but this soon had to be stopped under 
necessity of suspension of the commissary department. 

For many of the squads billeted in the barns and sheds there was 
no chance for warmth as there were no fire-places. During the damp, 
cold nights the only choice the inhabitants of those billets had was to 
roll in and keep warm under the blankets. 

To chop a tree down in the numbered forests of France was to 
commit a crime, so the fellows who were in billets that did have fire 
places faced a series of crimes to get wood. The inhabitants of such 
billets took it upon themselves to devise ways and means to obtain fuel. 
The occupants of one billet sent details out to root up old fence posts 
from adjacent farm-lands ; while in another instance eighteen men 
housed in a billet borrowed se\-eral French wheel-barrows and at night 
made a raid on a large pile of newly cut tree trunks which was located 
a kilometer from the village. 

The result of this night's work provided fuel and light for several 
clays in the billet of the raiding party. Light was another essential 
feature. With candles selling as high as a franc apiece, letter writing 
home was sadly neglected in many cases. So the receipt of an extra 
letter written by the light of a log-blaze, kindled with wood secured 
through great difficulty, has had to act as savoring repentance for any 
misconduct employed in acquiring possesion of the means of light and 
heat. 

The battery had among its ec[uipment dozens of new horse- 
blankets. With the exception of a few stray animals, no horses had 
been received by the battery in France thus far. Several were in care 
of the outfit at Ville sous La Ferte, where six horses caused as much 
stable detail work as a complete battery of mounts occasioned at Camp 
Meade. The main feature, moreover, was the distribution of the 
horse-blankets among the troops in an eft'ort to keep warm at night. 

There was no room in \'ille sous La Ferte to do any maneuvering, 
so the guns and caissons were parked in a field and were not used 
during the stay. The time of the soldier was employed in hikes and 
various forms of athletics. Soccer developed as the leading sport and 
great rivalry resulted in games that were played on furrowed ground 
of a large wheat field. 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS Sj 

War was over, so official orders again gave birth to Retreat forma- 
tion, which was held with much disciplinary ado in front of the Hotel 
de Ville at 4:15 o'clock each afternoon. Guard mount was also decreed 
and last, but not least, regimental reviews came into their own with 
great official solemnity. 

On Thursday, November 21st, a wild boar hunt that had been 
planned by the battery, had to be called off. A regimental review 
was to be held at Clairvaux that afternoon. 

The 2nd Battalion formed at i p. m. and hiked to Clairvaux with 
colors flying for the big review. A mix-up in giving commands 
"flunked" the first attempt at passing in review. The entire ceremonv 
of dignity had to be executed a second time. Close order drill then 
came into its own. The following day, November 22nd, the battalion 
again hiked to Clairvaux, where another review was staged and the 
regiment kept at battalion close-order drill until 4 o'clock. 

Sunday, November 24th, reveille sounded at 6 o'clock. Orders 
were given to make rolls preparatory to moving. When the soldiers 
were ready to move the order was changed. It was discovered that 
the motor trucks would not arrive until the following day. 

The motor transportation squad was expected to arrive early on 
Monday morning. It was 9 o'clock at night when they arrived. De- 
parture was delayed until next morning, but this did not keep back 
an order that called the battery out in detail during a heavy rain at 
9.30 Monday night to pull the guns and caissons through the mud. 
from the field where they had been parked to the road, so that they 
could be attached to the motor trucks. There was a great tendency to 
"duck detail" that night. 

Ville sous La Ferte was finally left in the distance, Tuesday, No- 
vember 26th, at 10 o'clock. The soldiers and their packs had to pile 
in the few motor trucks that were furnished. A few of the boys rode 
the materiel attached to the trucks and had a wild ride. The rolling 
kitchen of the battery, with ovens blazing away, covered the roads at 
a fine clip behind a motor truck, with George Musial having his hands 
full trying to manipulate the brake. 

The trip continued through Maranville and Bricon. Chaumont 
was circled about 4 o'clock and stop was made about twenty-one 
kilometers from A. E. F. Headquarters, at a sleepy little hamlet of 
about fifty houses and barns, called Blancheville. 




A BATTERY D. KITCHEN CREW 
Photo Taken at Mess Tent at Camp Jya Courtine, France. 




GROUP OF BATTERY D SERGEANTS 
Capts. Clarke, Smith, and Hall in foreground. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

MUD AND BLANCHEYILLE. 

Blancheville, mud and mules are associated in memory of the 
holiday season of 1918-19 that Battery D spent in France. 

It was Thanksgiving week when Battery D arrived in Blanche- 
ville. The auto convoy deposited the hattery paraphernalia in the 
vicinity of the old stone church and graveyard that stood along ths 
main highway as the landmark and chief building of the village 
Nearby stood the only other building of import — a stone structure that 
housed a pool of water in the manner of the ancients. This was the 
public pool where the women of the village came to do the family 
washing, as the village was deprived of the natural advantages of a 
river. Watering troughs surrounded this wash-house on two sides. 
Twice daily the cattle and live-stock from all the village barns were 
led to this watering place. Water for drinking purposes was also 
supplied the village from a special fountain on the exterior side oppo- 
site the water troughs. 

Mud was the chief characteristic of Blancheville. It was a farm- 
ing community of vmusual quietude. Plenty of barns and roosts were 
found in which to billet the battery. The natives were very hospitable. 
They readily chased out the cows and the chickens to make room for 
the Americans. The boys lived next door to animal nature. In one 
billet an adjacent room housed the live stock and it was not un- 
common to have slumbers awakened by the cow walking into th? 
sleeping quarters of the troops. 

While in Blancheville the boys got used to the largest of the 
French rat species. During the hours of the night they traveled flat- 
footed over the faces and forms of sleeping soldiers, also played 
havoc with all soldier equipment stored in the billet. It may sound 
like myth, Imt it is a fact that a rat in one billet dragged an armv 
mess kit across the floor — they were some rats. 

()n the road opposite the church stood an old, one-story stone 
building that was built in its present form, eight hundred years ago. 
The roof was overgrown w^ith moss and one corner had started to 
crumble in from old age. In this building Corporals James Cataldo 
and Michael A. Tito, the battery barbers, set up a barber shop. They 
did good business after they were able to convince the battery in 
general that the roof would not cave in for another hundred years. 



90 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

The first day in Blancheville was spent in parking the guns and 
caissons, digging Latrines and the usual duties attendant upon 
establishing a new battery home. It was also a job in itself to make 
some semblance at getting some of the billets cleaned up and half 
fit to sleep in. 

Reveille for the first few mornings was at 8 o'clock. Thursday. 
November 28th, was an ofl^ day for the outfit, except those on K. P., 
who got an extra job in preparing a battery Thanksgiving spread. The 
day was spent by the idle mostly in hiking over the roads and visiting 
some of the nearby villages where the other units of the regiment were 
quartered. Regimental Headquarters, Headquarters Company, Sup- 
ply Company, Battery C, and the Medical detachment were at Andelot, 
about four kilos from Blancheville. The 2nd Battalion Hqrs. and E 
Battery were at Cirey-les-Mareilles ; A Battery was at Vignes ; Battery 
B at Montot, and F Battery at Mareilles. 

The town of Andelot, built in the shape of an amphitheatre on 
the slope which forms the base of the hill of Monteclair, is situated on 
the banks of the little river Rognon, 21 kilometers from Chaumont, 
seat of the Department of Haute Marne. 

On this hill of Monteclair, on which there was a strong-castle 
during the years loi to 44 B. C, Caesar established a camp. Under 
Constantine (306 A. D. ) Andelot became the seat of a province. A 
Court of Champagne fortified the position of Monteclair (440 A. D.). 
On the 28th of November, 587, the treaty of Andelot was made 
between Gontran, King of Burgundy, and Cnideberft, King of Aus- 
trasia, who was accompanied by his mother, Brunehaut. 

In 871 A. D., Andelot became the seat of a county, which was 
broken up in the course of the tenth century, and which was a depend- 
ency of the Duke of Lorraine. From 1201 to 1253 the fortifications of 
Monteclair were strengthened and enlarged, the town was beautified 
and surrounded by walls, which were demolished in 1279. Andelor 
became the seat of a prefecture of which Domremy, the birthplace of 
Joan of Arc, was a part. 

In 1356 and again in 143 1 Monteclair was taken by the English. 
It was returned to France in 1434. In 1523 a German army occupied 
Andelot and the castle of Monteclair for a short time. There followed 
famine and pestilence. Francis I, King of France (1494 to 1547) 
repaired the fortifications and ordered a great amount of work to be 
done on the fortress. During the religious wars (1337 to 1453) Ande- 
lot was taken and re-taken by the Catholics and Protestants, its church 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS gi 

was burned and its bells melted down. Monteclair came again under 
the authority of the King in 1594. 

The fortress of Monteclair was dismantled in 1635, and in the 
following year the Germans devastated the town of Andelot. The 
fortress was finally destroyed in 1697. From that time until the pres- 
ent Monteclair and the towns in its vicinity have been rich in souvenirs. 

It was among these scenes Battery D idled the Thanksgiving day. 
At 5 p. m. a special feed was put on in the battery mess hall in general 
celebration. The feasting was getting along nicely ; everybody was 
enjoying the menu of roast pig and prune pie and nuts and candy, 
when it was suddenly discovered that a number of the candles used to 
light the mess hall had suddenly disappeared. The aftermath was felt 
for several days. A thorough search for the lost candles was insti- 
tuted. They could not be found. An official battery order was then 
promulgated, stating that if the candles were not returned within a 
certain time a very heavy battery guard would be put on for the 
remainder of the stay in Blancheville. 

About a half dozen candles had disappeared. When the ulti- 
matum was issued about two dozen candles of all sizes and descrip- 
tions were returned to the battery kitchen. The guard never went on. 
Candles continued to sell in Blancheville for fancy prices and the 
battery in general suffered in its letter writing for the want of light at 
night. 

Leather jerkins were first issued the battery at Blancheville on 
November 29th, which was the signal for horses to be received. The 
receipt of horses started a long and hard battle with the mud. To 
multiply miseries mules played an important part in the life of the 
battery. All told it is a long, muddy tale. 

On Friday, December 6th, fourteen sick horses arrived in Blanche- 
ville to be cared for by Battery D. The following day another con- 
signment of horses arrived. The majority of the animals were afflicted 
with the mange. All had seen active service and were badly used up. 
Many sufi^ered from neglect, the troops having but little time for the 
proper care of the animals while up in the front lines. Some were 
minus pieces of their ears, which had been shot off in battle. 

Two large, open artillery stables had been erected at Blancheville 
by a previous contingent of troops, so Battery D had stable facilities. 
The constant rain, however, soon played havoc with the ground in the 
vicinity of the stables and it was not long after the horses were 



92 THE DELTA OE THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

received that the heavy traffic in the vicinity of the stables created a 
regular sea of mud. Hip rubber boots were issued and it was a grand 
battle wnth the mud each day. The animals had to be led through the 
mud three times a day to the public water troughs in the village. 

Besides caring for the horses the time at Blancheville was spent 
in hiking, at physical exercise and in the enjoyment of various forms 
of athletics. The manual of the pistol again came into its own and the 
guns were not neglected, as gun drill was finally returned to the 
schedule. 

At least once a week the battery hiked to Cirey les Mareilles, 
three kilos distant, where the only bath house was located. 

Thoughts of the Christmas season came to the battery at Blanche- 
ville when the first Christmas boxes from the folks back home were 
received during the second week in December. The boxes continued 
to arrive until the festal holiday. 

Sunday, December 15th, was pay-day for the soldiers in Blanche- 
ville. This particular pay-day was of ill omen for the battery. A 
number of the boys indulged too freely at the cafes in Chantraines, 
with a to-be-regretted fracas resulting. A guard of military police 
was put on at Chantraines following this escapade. 

Monday, December i6th, thirty-five additional horses were received 
by the battery. Considerable time was spent in getting the harness 
in shape, especially the saddles, after which lessons in equitation were 
again started, also a number of battery mounted hikes inaugurated. 

Early in December announcement was made of a proposed horse 
convoy to the Belgian border. The topic was discussed for many 
weeks, the proposed trip having been scheduled and cancelled several 
times before a convoy finally materialized. What the one hundred 
volunteers for this convoy had to contend with during the trip is a tale 
of its own, which must be related in terms of hardship, rain, mud, and 
mules. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

AN ADVENTUROUS CONVOY. 

What could be more pleasant or soothing to an adventurous spirit 
than a trip in the saddle through the scarred and devastated battle 
sector along the Lorraine border? This is what appealed to- the boys 
of Battery D when announcement was made at Blancheville early in 
December that one hundred men were wanted to accompany a horse 
convoy to Longwy on the Belgian border. One hundred volunteers 
were asked for, and it was not long before the required number was 
enlisted from the military ranks. 

The first convoy was to have left Blancheville on December 13th, 
but at the eleventh hour the trip was cancelled. Various other dates 
were set. Finally, on Wednesday night, December i8th, Capt. Smith 
assembled the battery in the Y. M. C. A. tent that stood near the old 
church, when announcement was made that the horse trip was to start 
on the morrow and the names of the one hundred men who were to 
make the trip, were called ofif. 

In high spirits the volunteers made ready for the trip. Each man 
packed a set of saddle bags ; made ready a driver's roll with shelter 
half and blankets. All the other individual equipment was gathered 
together and left in the Y. M. C. A. tent, as rumor had it that the 
regiment was soon to move to another billeting area and the order 
to move might come when the horse convoy was on the road. Thus 
the extra equipment was left with the remainder of the battery, on 
whose hands evolved the task of remaining in Blancheville and caring 
for the battery horses and doing the other detail work. The schedule 
worked hardship both ways. There was more than enough work for 
those who remained at the battery area, and those who^ volunteered 
for the convoy were not long in realizing that they had a tough job on 
their hands. 

The detail of one hundred men left Blancheville at 7.25 a. m., 
Thursday, December 19th, in five auto trucks. The trucks also con- 
veyed a saddle and equipment, also driver's roll, for each member of 
the party. 

The auto convoy proceeded through Chaumont ; then came a 
pleasant ride along the Marne river, passing through the towns of 
Luzy, Vesa'gnes, Rolampont and Langres. Stop was made at the 
latter fortified town, where the soldiers visited the town and procured 



94 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

refreshments. The trip was continued and at 12.30 p. m. the party 
reached Remount No. 13, at Lux. situated about three kilometers 
beyond Is-sur-Tille. 

In fighting the mud at Blancheville the battery members thought 
they had struck the muddiest spot in France. Nothing coukl be mud- 
dier, they thought. But this thought was soon shattered when the 
volunteer convoy reached Lux. Perhaps it was due to the Remount 
being numbered 13, but the mud that surrounded it is beyond adec[uate 
description. 

It was raining heavily when the battery arrived at Lux. Slimy 
mud, three feet thick in places, covered the territory of the remount. 

The original order was for the detail from Battery D to remain 
at the remount over Friday and start with the horses for the Belgian 
border on Saturday morning. Arriving at the remount the battery 
detail was housed in a sheet-iron barrack with corrugated sheet- 
iron bunks. And everything was covered with mud. 

Thursday night, while the detail lingered at the remount, official 
orders came changing the plan for the convoy party. Instead of taking 
horses to Longwy the detail was ordered to start the following morn- 
ing to return to the 311th Regiment with several hundred mules. 

Friday morning, December 20th, reveille was held in the rain at 
5.45 o'clock. Immediately after mess the auto trucks were loaded and 
made ready for the trip. The detail, in charge of Capt. Smith, and 
accompanied by Lieutenants! Yeager and Bennett, ploughed through 
the mud to the section of the remount that housed the horses the 
convoy was to escort. 

Each member of the convoy selected a horse to saddle. The 
animals were of various spirits. Many of the battery detail were 
recruits who did not have the lessons in eciuitation at Camp Meade 
that the older members of the battery experienced. After considerable 
difficulty the horses were saddled and the convoy assembled in a large 
field to receive the consignment of mules. 

Many of the horses had never been ridden in the saddle before, 
with the result that a regular wild-west exhibition transpired on the 
field. Riders were thrown from the saddle into the mud, but all the 
boys had their nerve with them and stuck to the horses, bringing them 
under control. 

Lieut. Yeager was induced by the remount officers to saddle a 
large and fiery stallion, but after a brave attempt on the part of Lieut. 



THK DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 95 

Yeager to break and ride the stallion, during which the rider was pre- 
cipitated into a large, muddy pool and covered with mud from head to 
foot, change had to be made for another animal, the stallion being left 
behind when the convoy started. 

When all was set with the detail mounted, the remount attaches 
trotted out 2yj mules, tied in series of three. 

The mules were divided among the mounted men, each man get- 
ting three mules to lead, besides having to manage the horse he was 
riding. All the mules were frisky, having remained unworked for a 
considerable period. There was great prancing around as the convoy 
assembled. The mules, in many cases, started to pull one way and the 
horse pulled the opposite. Many of the mules were tied up in various 
speed combinations. Ones that were always on the run were coupled 
with ones that did not know how to step lively, or else the horse of the 
mounted party was either too fast or too slow for the trio of mules 
the driver had to lead along. 

At 9.30 a. m. the convoy got started on the road. The convoy 
consisted of 96 mounted men leading 237 mules, the rolling kitchen 
drawn by four mules, in charge of George Musial, who had the assist- 
ance of Cook Burns and two K. P.'s in preparing meals enroute. Five 
auto trucks, carrying the forage and picket-line equipment, formed 
the remainder of the train. 

Slowly the convoy proceeded over the mud-covered road leading 
from Lux. At noon stop was made at Fontaine Francais, where the 
animals were watered in a stream and given nose-bags. Then the roll- 
ing kitchen came along the road and hot slum and coffee was served to 
the horsemen stretched out along the side of the road. It was against 
orders to tie the animals anywhere while on the march. Each driver 
had to hold his charges at rein's length with one hand, and attempt to 
eat the slum with the other hand. 

After a two and one-half hour layover the march was resumed, 
a distance of thirty kilometers having been set for the day. The route 
was through Montigny in the afternoon and at 5.15 p. m., under a 
cover of darkness the convoy reached Champlitte. Through the town 
the road stretched, past a large chateau, then came a long hill, down 
which the horses and mules galloped, wild with hunger and fatigue. 
It was a dark night and difficulty was experienced in keeping to the 
unknown road. In making the descent of the hill leading from Champ- 
litte several riders and mules almost struck the edge of the elevated 
road and had a narrow escape from going mounted over a precipice. 



96 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

It was about 6 p. m. when stop was made at the base of the hilly 
road, where orders to remain for the night were issued. There were 
no stable accommodations, or nothing ready to receive the animals. 
A picket line had to be erected in a muddy ravine. The animals had 
to be led to a nearby stream and watered by bucket as there was no 
shallow approach to the stream. As the animals were watered and 
lead to the hastily thrown up picket-lines they began to bite and kick 
each other. A miniature stampede resulted until the several hundred 
nose-bags were adjusted and hay shook out along the picket line. Then 
all horses and mules had to be blanketed for the night. The detail 
secured the blankets from the auto trucks and started the task, which 
took considerable time and which was finally accomplished at risk of 
life and limb. A limited amount of picket line had been erected and ihe 
mules especially were tied in very close proximity. To get between 
them and blanket the frisky jacks was to dodge bites and hoofs in all 
directions. 

Mud was kicked up in all directions while the animals were receiv- 
ing attention. It was a tired, muddy and dirty lot of soldiers that 
finished their tasks at the picket line at 11.30 p. m., and started to 
march up the dark hill to Champlitte ; to the old chateau that was to 
house the troops for the night. It was midn-ght when the troops 
got something to eat from the rolling kitchen. Then they stretched 
out on the floors of the old chateau to rest for the night. 

Xext morning was Saturday. It was decided that the convoy 
would remain over at Champlitte and rest for the day. There was but 
little rest, however, as everybody was kept busy caring for the horses 
and mules ; watering, feeding and grooming being in order. When it 
came to grooming the mud was caked thick on all hides. 

It rained Saturday night. The guard detail at the picket line had 
a merry time chasing mules that broke loose and started to roam over 
adjacent hills. 

All hands were up and on the job at the picket line at 5.30 a. m., 
Sunday morning, December 22nd. It was 8.30 o'clock before all sec- 
tions were watered and fed, the picket lines packed in the trucks and 
things made ready to start. With the sections lined up on the road 
ready to start, count of the mules was taken and it was discovered 
that five were missing. An hour's wait resulted until all mules were 
present and accounted for. 

The drive continued through the rain, until 11.30 p. m., when the 
town of Pierrefiate was reached. Detailed work in throwing up a 



THE DELTA OF THK TRIPLE ELEVENS 97 

picket line in the yard of an old chauteau and duties equally as strenu- 
ous and similar to the first night's stop at Champlitte, were in order 
until all the animals were cared for. Bean soup was served for the 
hattery mess and the night spent in the chateau. 

During the night the rain turned into a sleet storm, attended by a 
strong wind. The wind and the sleet caused a stampede at the picket 
lines. Morning found the picket lines completely demolished, and 
horses and mules roamed all over the lot. They were tied in all shapes 
and forms, the halter shanks being twisted in knots galore. 

The battery men were up and doing at 5.15 Monday morning. It 
was 10 a. m. before all the animals were captured and tied up properly. 
The first section got started on the march shortly after 10 o'clock. Sleet, 
rain and snow continued to fall during the day. Through larg2 
expanses of open road, the convoy journeyed. The sleet drove in the 
faces of the mules, causing them to gallop at top speed. The riders 
had their strength severely tried and tested in keeping the situation 
under control. 

Stop was made about 3 kilos from the town of Bourbonne where 
the animals were watered at a stream. The convoy entered Bourbonne 
at 3.30 p. m. and found to its great joy that the town housed an 
American army veterinarian section and had stable accommodations. 
The stable facilities lightened the work of the convoy and it was 
5 o'clock when the men went to the town to seek quarters for the 
night. The large auditorium of the American Y. M. C. A. had been 
scheduled as the place of abode for the night. When the outfit applied 
for admission a conflict of dates was brought to light. It took great 
persuasive force, bordering close unto mob rule, before the officiou^^ 
officer in charge of the Y. M. C. A. was induced to allow the tired 
and muddy party to break in upon the quietude of the few sections of 
troops occupying part of the Y. M. C. A. for the night. 

Before the convoy resumed the journey on Tuesday morning, 
December 24th, army veterinarians examined all animals in the con- 
voy party. Many loose shoes had to be fixed by the blacksmiths, 
while twenty-two of the horses showed symptoms of lameness else 
had developed sores that barred them from continuing the journey. 
The veterinarian section also took over a number of the sound horses 
and mules. 

The first sections got started from Bourbonne at 9 a. m. Twenty- 
six of the men, under Capt. Smith, were detailed to take the lame 
horses to a nearby remount and exchange them for sound animals. 



98 THE DEI^TA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

It was 11:30 when the detail of twenty-six left Bourbonne with the 
thought of overtaking the remainder of the convoy. 

The main convoy rode hard all day. Is was the day before 
Christmas and it was raining. Stop was made for the night at Clef- 
mont, where stable accommodations were secured for the horses, 
while the mules had to be picketed. 

The detail of twenty-six that was following had difhcuUy in 
finding the road the convoy had taken. It was dark when Clefmont 
was reached. The main detail had sent out a guard with a lantern 
to locate Capt. Smith and his detail, but the guard got on the wrong 
road ; leaving the detail with Capt. Smith passing out Clefmont in 
the blackness of the night. By a stroke of luck, however, inquiries 
from French peasants finally steered the lost detail on the road where 
the advance guard with the lantern was located. 

After caring for the horses the convoy spent Christmas eve in 
an old, dirty, combination barn and dwelling. Reclining on bunches 
of live straw that was found in the building, the soldiers dreamt of 
Christmas eve back home, wishing they were there, instead of where 
they were. 

Christmas morning, Wednesday, December 25th, dawned clear 
and cold. Clefmont was left behind at 9 a. m., when the soldiers 
determined to drive hard so that the trip could be terminated by noon. 
The route lay through Longchamp. As the morning wore on a snow 
storm developed. Through the snow the riders pressed on. until i 
p. m., when Cirey-les-Mareilles was reached. Orders were to leave 
the majority of the animals at Cirey. A detail of Battery E men 
were on hand to meet the convoy and assist in caring for the animals 
at that point. 

Relieved of their charges, the members of Battery D secured 
auto trucks to take them to Blancheville. It was a relief to get washed 
and cleaned up, as there was very little washing and shaving done 
during the five days on the road. It was a pleasure, also, to be back 
at the old stamping ground. And, to think it was Christmas. A few 
peaceful hours during the afternoon and evening were enjoyed by 
the convoy detail. A large amount of mail had accumulated while 
the men were on the road. It was Christmas mail, in which cheering 
words were received from the home folks. Christmas boxes des- 
patched through the Red Cross came into their own. It was a re- 
juvenated bunch that partook of Christmas dinner in the battery's old 
mess hall at Blancheville at 5 o'clock that night. 




BATTERY D ON THE ROAD 

Passing Through a French 

Village. 



ABOARD THE 

EDW. LUCKENBACH 

Battery D Homeward Bound. 





AT BUSH TERMINAL, 

BROOKLYN 

Home, At Last. 



CHAPTER XX. 

ON THE ROAD TO BENOFfE VAUX. 

During the month of January it was reported in official circles 
that the 154th Artillery Brigade was to accompany the 79th Division 
into Germany as a unit of the Army of (Occupation. The artillerymen 
were enthused with the prospects of joining their division and getting 
in the midst of the big scenery. The movement, however, never 
materialized. The outfit was forced to bear a disappointment like 
unto the shattering of expectations of getting in on the finale of the 
fighting. 

As has been recorded, as early as October, 1918, the instructors 
had decided that the 311th artillery was in a position to take up active 
front-line duties. Several weeks previous the infantry and machine- 
gun regiments of the 79th Division had entered the fight and made 
their famous attack on Montfaucon, one of the most difficult posi- 
t'ons to take in the Argonne sector. Twenty-seventh Division artil- 
lery had furnished the support at Montfaucon. The 79th Division 
artillerymen were eager to replace them and aid in the fighting of the 
division along the Meuse river. 

After the holiday season Battery D spent its time in Blanche- 
ville with mounted hikes forming the mainstay of the schedule. Each 
day the outfit looked for orders to join the di\ision and proceed to 
German territory. 

The horses and mules brought to the regiment by the convoy, 
were distributed to the \'arious batteries. Driver scjuads were im- 
mediately reorganized and great preparation attended all the hikes. 

The latter part of January an official order was issued citing the 
individual members of Battery D as entitled to wear a gold service 
chevron, an indication of six months service on foreign soil. With 
the award of the gold stripe came the selection of the Lorraine Cross 
as ihe divisional insignia and the granting of leaves of absence to 
visit the beauty spots of France, with Paris included in the schedule 
as a possible three-day leave center. The first men left the battery 
on a fourteen day leave, at Blancheville. A waiting list was estab- 
lished and passes were issued in order of application. During the re- 
mainder of the battery's stay in France names were on the leave list. 

The famous Mediterranean Riviera was the favorite leave cen- 
ter, although St. Malo and Grenoble were cited in official division 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS lOI 

orders. Many of the members of Battery D got the opportunity to 
spend a vacation in the Southern part of France, where the land is 
sheltered by the mountains from the North winds, and lit and warmed 
by a resplendent sun in a sky, the azure of which is seldom dulled by 
clouds. Nice, Monaco with its Monte Carlo and a trip across the 
Italian border near Menton, were included in the majority of the 
leave itineraries. While enroute to the Southern clime it was cus- 
tomary for the soldier on leave to mistake trains ; get on the wrong 
train and find himself landed in the City of Paris. This, in most 
cases, was the only opportunity the majority had of seeing the French 
metropolis, although a number of three-day leaves to the capital city 
were granted battery men. 

Leave privileges in the A. E. F. kspt the French railroads busy. 
The demand for furloughs became so popular that troop specials to 
the leave centers came into being and opportunity of individual travel 
was curtailed. Scores, however, took advantage of the troop specials 
to the land of vacation case. 

While Battery D was in Blancheville Lieut. Hugh M. Clarke 
was transferred to the Supply Company of the regiment and Lieuten- 
ant Leo C. Julian, of Lakeland, Fla.. was attached to the battery. 

The horses were the main care of the battery. Forage was 
scarce, which caused the animals to become mean-tempered as 
they gnawed at the hay-racks and discovered that about one pound 
of hay had to do each horse a day while the forage scarcity lasted. 

Many of the battery members received severe kicks while attend- 
ing to stable duties. The most serious injury through a kick was in- 
flicted upon Private Frederick M. Bowen. of E. Rutherford. N. J., 
who was sent to the Base Hospital at Rimaucourt with injuries that 
separated him from the outfit and sent him home as a casual. 

When the hikes became a daily occurrence at Blancheville stable 
duties w^ere set for the entire battery to share in. Watering and 
feeding was done immediately after reveille was dismissed each morn- 
ing. 

On January 3rd the battery was ordered to pack everything to 
take to the road. The rollirg kitchen accompanied the battery cara- 
van that left Blancheville to return again to the \illage after a 7 
kilometer hike. A similar hike was held the day following, when it 
was announced the regiment was to move forward and join the divi- 
sion for the trip into occupation territory. The same day a detail of 



I02 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

five men were dispatched to the new billeting area to make ready the 
new battery location. 

It was decided that the battery would proceed to the new area 
by taking to the road in march-order. The battery was ordered to 
be ready to move by January 9th. 

On January 8th another hike with everything packed was ac- 
complished, the outfit getting back to Blancheville at 12:30 p. m. All 
the materiel was left out along the road leading from the village that 
night, so all that was needed for an early start the following morning 
was for the horses to be hitched to the guns, caissons and supply- 
wagons. 

The battery left Blancheville at 7:30 a. m., Thursday, January 
9th, proceeding to Andelot where the entire regiment assembled on 
the road for the journey. A detail of men were left at Blancheville 
to cleanup ; overtaking the outfit later on single mount. 

After leaving Andelot the route was through \'ignes and Busson ; 
halt for noon-mess w^as made at the latter place. A distance of 22 
kilometers was set for the day's journey, terminating at the village 
of Epizon, which was reached at 3:30 p. m. The regiment parked 
its materiel and established its picket line in a large grain field, then 
had to wait for two hours until the supply train brought up the forage. 
The battery men found sleeping quarters for the night in the barns 
and sheds of the village. 

The outfit was astir at 4 145 o'clock the next morning and was 
moving on the road at 8:30 a. m. Stop was made at noon at Soulain- 
court, where the 311th passed the 211th motorized French artillery 
regiment, going in the opposite direction along the narrow road. In 
the afternoon the regiment passed through the town of Montiers and 
went into park for the night at 6 p. m., at Morley. The village fur- 
nished an abundance of haylofts for the artillerymen to crawl into 
the straw for the night. 

Saturday, January nth. found the regiment ready to resume the 
journey at 7:15 a. m. The trip continued through Le Bouchon, 
Serenier and Stainville, the latter place being the noon-mess stop- 
over junction. Here the train of horses were watered by bucket. 
During the afternoon Bazincourt, Haironville, and Bullon were in- 
vaded in order. The horses were watered in the community w^atering 
trough in the village of Combles at 3 :30 p. m., after which the regi- 
ment proceeded to Veel and stopped for the night. It rained heavy 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 103 

during the night, but the outfit was forunate in locating a number of 
army barracks in the village that furnished a night's shelter. 

Sunday, January 12th, it was raining when the troops answered 
reveille at 5 o'clock. The rain turned into snow an hour later when 
the regiment was ready to resume the journey. Under a canopy of 
snow the troops passed through the city of Bar Le Due. After leav- 
ing Naives in the distance, stop was made at noon at Le Pettit Rumont. 

The cannoneers were forced to walk a great part of the distance. 
They were also compelled to wear their field shoes on the march in- 
stead of the rubber boots which the drivers wore. They trudged 
along the slushy road with wet feet, while it grew colder and more 
miserable. It was welcome relief when camp was ordered for the night 
at Violette and the troops assigned to old hospital barracks for the 
night. 

A farming community, named Benoite Vaux, in the Department 
of Meuse, about twenty-five kilometers from the celebrated Ameri- 
can battle sector of Saint Mihiel, was selected as the new billeting 
district for the regiment. Benoite Vaux was reached at noon on 
Monday, January 13th, after the regiment had been on the road for 
the day since 8 a. m., passing through Belrain, Pierrfitte and Courouve. 

Benoite Vaux was a quiet hamlet of a score of peasant homes and 
an old stone church. The 2nd Battalion was stationed in and about 
the town ; Battery D was assigned to barracks that formerly were 
used as a French army hospital. The ist Battalion was scattered 
here and there on the hills and in the woods outside the village. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

WAR ORPHANS AND HORSE SHOWS. 

Almost every outfit of the A. E. F., in France, adopted a mas- 
cot — a real, live mascot, to be sure ; not out of mere pet fancy, bul 
the natural outcrop of the American spirit of benevolence. Through 
the Bureau of War Orphans of the American Red Cross, units of 
the A. E. F. made contributions to the Adoption Fund for French 
War Orphans. The aid in each case was administered by the Red 
Cross to the welfare of an orphan. 

The members of Battery D adopted little four-year-old Denise 
Ferron during the month of February, 1919, as their mascot, and, 
by additional contributions a ward was selected in memory of First 
Sergeant James J. Farrell. The second ward was three-year-old 
Georges Lemoine, who was much in need of assistance. 

Denise Ferron, with brown eyes and brown hair, was born April 
25, 1914, the daughter of Madame Vve Ferron, of Fericy, Seine et 
Marne, France. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ferron had just established a butcher shop when 
war came on. The lather was then mobilized at the first call. He 
went to the front where he was wounded. In 1916 at Verdun, he 
held the Croix de Guerre and was mortally wounded in April, 1918. 

When he joined his regiment his wife was left with no resources, 
having given all of their earnings for the purchase of the butcher 
shop. The difficulty to find meat and some one to help her, forced 
her to give up her business. 

She had another child, Simonne, who was born July 8, 1917. This 
blonde, grey eyed brother of Denise was cared for by another A. E. 
F. unit. As her children were too small, Mme. Ferron was net able 
to take any work and her only means of support was a military allo- 
cation amounting to 105 francs monthly. 

Although his body rests in the American military cemetery at 
La Courtine, France, the memory of James J. Farrell is revered in 
unison by all who knew him and the family of \'ve Memoine, \'ill3 
Billy, St. Lunaire, Ille et X'ilaine, France, who have come to know 
him in spirit since the youngest son, Georges, was adopted. George 
Lemoine was born February i, 1915. He had five other brothers and 
sisters, viz: Pierre, Louis, Marie, Marcelle and Anna, the oldest 15 
and the youngest 6 years. 



the: delta of the triple elevens 105 

These children were in a truly lamentable plight. Their father 
was a farmer but on such a small scale that what he got from his 
small piece of land was insufficient for the needs of his family. He 
was conscripted but sent back because he was the father of six chil- 
dren. He had never been strong, and during the prolonged stay at the 
front tuberculosis developed, from which he died on May 18, 1917. 

Unfortunately his wife contracted this terrible illness. But be- 
fore she realized her plight she had taken over a neighboring farm, 
for she was anxious to shoulder her burden as well as possible. This 
overtaxed her strength and hastened her decline. 

These are passing incidents of the period the battery spent in 
Benoite V'aux. Other incidents of import to the battery were the 
erection of stables and the conduct of horse shows. 

When the outfit arrived at Benoite \'aux there were stable accom- 
modations for rome of the batteries encamped out in the woods but 
Battery D, stationed in the village, was without accommodation for 
the horses. For the first few weeks of the stay the horses were kept 
out in the open on picket lines. The w^eather and the mud became 
very severe and temporary stables were secured in a wooded section 
near where Battery C was stationed. These stables were about two 
kilometers from the battery billets. While the horses were stabled 
there the soldiers had to hike the two kilometers three times a day 
and drive the horses to the watering troughs in the center of the 
vill?ge. 

( )rders were soon issued for the battery to build stables in the 
woodland on the opposite side of the road from the battery quar- 
ters. The ground selected as the site was very muddy. The first duty, 
therefore, was the opening of a stone quarry and the hauling of many 
leads of cracked stone to form the base of the new stable. Between 
the work of building the stables and preparing for the horse shows, 
the lime of the troops at Benoite \'aux was well occupied. 

On February 21st, the 2nd Battalion of the 311th conducted a 
Horse Show to pick entries for the regimental Horse Show which 
was announced. In this show Battery D carried oil a good share of 
the ribbons. John E. Jones, of Hazleton, Penna., was awarded the 
blue ribbon and a cash donation of francs, as first prize winner for 
individual mounts. Concetti Imbesi, of Scranton, Penna., captured 
the second place in th's event and was awarded the red ribbon. Imbesi 
was a prize winner in the hurdling, taking the yellow ribbon. 



Io6 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

For the entry of 75 mm. gun and caisson with personnel, Bat- 
tery D took second and third places. The 2nd section of D took the 
red ribbon and the ist section received the yellow decoration. Each 
battery had six mounted sections in this event. Battery F took first 
in this event. 

The battalion, as well as the regimental show, was held on a 
specially constructed course between Benoite \'aux and Issoncourt. 

In the regimental show, which took place on Monday, February 
24th, John E. Jones was adorned with the blue ribbon for guidon 
mounts. Jones also finished third in the regimental hurdles, in which 
event Imbesi also cantered from the track with the blue ribbon on his 
bridle. 

The officers of Battery D added their share to the trophies of 
the day. First Lieutenant C. D. Bailey, in the officers' single mounts 
and hurdles, captured second place in both events. The 2nd section of 
75 mm. gun and caisson, the Battery D winner in the battalion show, 
was ruled out of the regimental decision. Battery A took first in 
this event, while the ist section of Battery D got the yellow ribbon. 

The Divisional Show was held at Pierrefitte on Thursday, Feb- 
ruary 27th. The best Battery D could do in the divisional competi- 
tion was a good record of two third places with the yellow ribbons. 
The show was conducted in inclement weather, a combination of rain, 
hail and snow worrying many of the high-spirited chevaux as they 
walked, trotted and cantered o\er the cotu'se. Jones was judged 
third for guidon mount and Capt. A. L. Smith got third for officer's 
saddle horse. 

The official standing of the organizations in the regimental show 
was as follows : 

Headquarters Company 2'/ 

Battery D 18 

Battery B 18 

Battery F 13 

Supply Company 10 

Battery E 7 

Battery A 5 

Battery C 5 

Medical Detachment o 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS I07 

The points scored at the Divisional Show were : 

31 ith Field Artillery 38 

310th Field Artillery 29 

315th Infantry 25 

313th Infantry 15 

304th Signal Battalion 10 

304'ih Sanitary Train 8 

154th F. A. Brigade Hqrs 6 

Headquarters Troop 6 

314th Infantry 6 

79th Military Police Company 5 

311th Machine-Gun Battalion 5 

316th Infantry 3 

312th Machine-Gun Battalion 3 

158th Infantry Brigade Headquarters 3 

304th Ammunition Train S. O. L. 

The Ninth Army Corps held a Horse Show at Lerouville, March 
21, 19 1 9, with the 79th. the 88th and the 9th Army Corps Detach- 
ment, competing. Honors were awarded as follows : 

79th Division 137 points 

88th Division 87 points 

9th Corps Det 26 points 

At this show Jones, of Battery D, won third prize in the quarter 
mile race. 

The horse shows entailed a large amount of work. The soldiers 
were kept busy shining harness, grooming horses and painting ma- 
teriel. The road between Benoite V'aux and Issoncourt, where the 
battalion and regimental shows were held, was a stretch of mud. It 
was a serious proposition to get the horses to the show-course with- 
out having them look as if they had taken a mud bath. 

In the regimental show Arthur H. Jones, familiarly known to 
the battery members as "Boundbrook," the name of the New Jersey 
town he claims as home, had entered the battery water cart in the 
show. The water cart was one of the most valuable of battery 
vehicles. While at Benoite Vaux all the water for drinking and 
cooking purposes had to be hauled to the battery kitchen from a well 
about a kilometer distant. 

"Boundbrook" Jones had charge of the cart, driving, to the well 
for water several times each day. "Boundbrook" also prided himself 
as having the best horse of any of the water carts in the regiment. 



Io8 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

When it came time for the regimental horse show Jones was cer- 
tain that his charge would carry otT first prize in the water cart entry. 

To the great chagrin of "Boundbrook" Battery D's cart was dis- 
qualified by the judges because it did not have the proper spigots 
attached to the water tank. Jones drove back to Benoite Vaux in a 
dejected mood. Meeting Lieut. Bailey he exclaimed: "Say, Lieuten- 
ant, I thought this was a horse show and not a plumbing show." 

During the stay in Benoite \'aux the Battery members took ad- 
vantage of every opportunity alTorded to visit battle sectors. St. 
Mihiel was visited by many, while Verdun, with its underground city, 
and the country in that vicinity was also explored to great extent. The 
soldiers were granted mounted passes at times, which entitled them 
to saddle battery horses to go on a day's sight-seeing trip. 

During the latter part of February Capt. Smith was ordered to 
Paris on temporary duty in the Inspector General's Department. 
Lieut. Yeager and Lieut. Julian were also detached from the batterv 
at Benoite Vaux. Lieut. Yeager gained admission to an English Uni- 
versity, while Lieut. Julian was admitted to a French institution under 
the A. E. F. educational plans. 

Capt. Perry E. Hall, of Springfield, N. J., was assigned to the 
command of D Battery when Capt. Smith was ordered to Paris. First 
Lieut. Frank j. llamilton, who had been associated with the battery 
at Camp Meade, was reassigned to the organization from Headquar- 
ters Company of the regiment, during the early part of March, 1919. 

Private Stuart E. Prutzman, of Palmerton, Penna., left the out- 
fit at Benoite Vaux to attend a French university. Private William 
E. Bachman, of Hazleton, Penna., was a successful applicant to the 
A. E. F. University that was established at Beaune. 

The daily sick call of the battery was exceptionally large at 
Benoite Vaux. Colds and cooties played havoc with the boys for 
several weeks. 

Another passing incident connected with the life at Benoite \'aux 
was the Di\isional Maneuvres that were planned with great enthusiasm 
but which materialized rather humorously. The battery in general did 
not enjoy this drama. The maneuvres were conducted with guidon- 
bearers representing the batteries for the benefit of the Field Officers, 
who consumed much paper and speech in issuing a multitude of or- 
ders to guide the movements of the guidon-bearers as the latter 
represented the entire regiment, assuming various strategic formations 
on a well planned field of bloodless battle. 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS lOQ 

Lieut. Yeager, before being detacbed from tbe battery, and Cpl. 
Thomas J. Brennan. of Pottsville, Penna., were candidates for the 
divisional foot ball team that played at Souilly with a number of 
other divisional elevens. Philip J. Cusick, of Parsons, Penna., the 
battery's favorite pianist, was selected to make a tour with the regi- 
mental minstrel show that was put on to tour the circuit of A. E. F. 
playhouses. Cusick was recalled to the battery the latter part of 
February when he received notice of his early discharge from the 
army on account of the death of his father. 

The sickness that laid its hand heavily on the men of the battery 
at Bencite Vaux also aiiected the horses. The rain that fell almost 
daily, kept the mud knee-deep and the roads slushy. The well mem- 
bers of the battery toiled hard to complete the stables and save the 
horses from cruel exposure to the weather. The stables were com- 
pleted in February and were in use long enough for an order to be 
issued to clean them out by way of demonstration, then the battery 
was ordered to proceed to another billeting district. It was announced 
about this time that the 311th regiment was to sail for home in June. 

The siege of sickness claimed in death two of Battery D's men. 
who had been admitted to the base hospital at Commercy. 

Private Patrick J. Dooling, of Metuchen, N. J., died on Marcii 
6, 1919, with Broncho-pneumonia. He was buried in the Post Cemc 
tery at Commercy. 

Corporal Guy W. Mortimer, of Pottsville. Penna., died on March 
Sth and was buried in the same cemetery as Private Dooling. 

In March regimental post schools were opened near Souilly. A 
number of Battery D men were admitted to the various courses. 'I he 
boys had been at school for only one week when they were orderc I 
back to the outfit, which was then moving towards Commercy. 




SERVING MESS TO BATTERY D ALONG THE ROAD 

Serving Mess Along the Road While on a Move from Benolte Vaux to 

Lerouville, France. Reproduced from Official Photo 

of the Signal Corps, U. S. A. 




BATTERY D ON THE ROAD IN FRANCE 
Showing Battery D Moving Near Courouve, France. Reproduced from 
Official Photo of the Signal Corps, U. S. A. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

HOMEWARD BOUND. 

When the battery left Benoite Vaux the soldiers knew they had 
started on the first lap of their "homeward bound" trip. Weeks of 
hard work were yet before the battery, but the thought of getting home 
in June, or possibly earlier, as rumor had it that the A. E. F. sailing 
schedules were operating several weeks ahead of time, kept up the 
spirit of the artillerymen. 

The trip from Blancheville was made by road. A short journey 
on March 19th found Battery D in Boncourt, a small town near Com- 
mercy. The other batteries of the regiment moved to nearby towns. 
On March 31st, Lerouville, Pont sur Meuse and Boncourt held the 
regiment between them. 

On April ist Battery D was ordered to make another trip over- 
land. The trip required three days. The first night's stop was made 
at Ligny en Barcis, a large town, wdiere the entire regiment found 
accommodation and the boys enjoyed themselves for the night. The 
second night the regiment had to scatter for billeting at Bure, Echenay, 
Saudron, and Guillaume. Battery D was quartered in Bure. 

The journey was southward in the direction of Andelot. It wa? 
one trip the soldiers enjoyed. It didn't rain during the three days 
enroute. The end of the third day found the battery in Cirey les 
Mareilles, the town near Blancheville in which district the outfit was 
previously billeted. Cirey les Mareilles housed E Battery when D 
was at Blancheville. When the regiment returned to the old stamp- 
ing ground Batteries D and E were billeted at Cirey. The Supply 
Company of the regiment was billeted in Blancheville during this 
stay. Regimental Headquarters Company and Battery A established 
themselves at Briancourt, Battery F at Mareilles. Battery B at Roch- 
fort, and Battery C at Chantraines. 

While at Boncourt the materiel of the regiment was inspected 
by an ordnance officer and passed inspection. Before the materiel 
was to be finally turned in, however, a big review before General John 
J. Pershing, Commander in Chief of the A. E. F., was to take place. 

Battery D left Cirey les Mareilles at noon, Friday, April nth, 
proceeding to and arriving on the reviewing field at Orquenaux at 
4 :30 p. m. It was 8 :30 o'clock before the horses were cared for and 
a battery of dog tents erected on the field, where the soldiers spent 



112 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

the night. It did not rain during the night, but the following day, 
when the review was being staged, it rained in torrents. 

The review started at 10.30 a. m., Saturday, April 12, 1919. First 
the outfit stood inspection mounted but not moving. Then the divi- 
sional march in front of the reviewing stand started. It was a grand 
military sight to see an entire army division together on one field, at 
one time, with all equipment. It was late in the afternoon when the 
review ended by which time all the soldiers were thoroughly soaked 
by the rain. 

It was 4 o'clock when Battery D left the reviewing ground, and 
hastened on its way to Andelot. The entire distance was covered at 
what was almost a steady trot. Andelot was reached at 7 p. m. It 
was a wet and tired battery, but the rain and fatigue were soon for- 
gotten when orders were issued for all materiel to be turned in at 
Andelot, to be delivered to the railhead at Rimaucourt. Despite the 
fact that everybody was drenched to the skin, also cold and miserable, 
happy smiles lit the faces of all when farewell was bid the guns and 
caissons. The soldiers, in a happy mood, walked from Andelot to 
Cirey les Mareilles, singing and whistling. 

During the following week the horses and practically all the 

equipment was turned in and preparations made for the trip to the 

embarkation port. Everything in the line of equipment that was not 
needed, was salvaged. 

( )n Monday, April 7th, another attempt was made l:)y the regi- 
mental cfiicers to establish a post school near Neuf Chateau. A num- 
ber of Battery D men were sent to attend the school. The school, 
however, was broken up the first day of its existence, an official order 
returning the scholars to their respective commands. Orders to de- 
train for an embarkation center were momentarily expected. 

(3n Saturday, April igth. the regiment entrained at Rimaucourt, 
bound for the port of St. Nazaire. which was to be the exit to the land 
of home. The trip was made by box car, the route being through 
Bologne, Chaumont, Langres, south of Nevers, through Angers and 
Nantes. Battery D continued its journey until Camp Montoir, eight 
kilometers from the port, was reached at 4:45 p. m., April 21st. 

Sergeant Koenig and Corporal Shafer were the busiest men of 
the battery during the stay at Camp Montoir. Yards and yards of 
paper work had to be completed before the outfit was finally cleared 
and ready to walk up the gang plank. The battery office force worked 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS II3 

day and night and established a new record in getting a battery saiUng 
list o. k'd. 

The stay at Montoir was pleasant despite the fact that physical 
inspections were endured in great number and all soldiers and cloth- 
ing had to go through a thorough process of cootiizing. The camp 
was well equipped with recreational centers where the soldiers en- 
joyed their idle hours. 

Various detail work was assigned the battery while at Montoir. 
Details assisted in the erection of a new theatre on the camp grounds. 
Drill and physical exercise periods were in order when examinations 
and inspections lulled. After passing in a brigade review before 
Brigadier General Andrew Hero, on Friday, May 9th, the outfit was 
declared ready to board the next ship that docked at the port of St. 
Nazaire. On Monday, May 12th, the boys changed what francs they 
had left, into United States currency. Then they were ready to say 
good-bye to France. 

Reveille sounded at 4 a. m., on Wednesday, May 14th. Nobody 
slept in that morning. Rolls were made in short order and the bat- 
tery area poHced-up. At 6 a. m. the regiment left Camp Montoir on 
an eight kilometer hike to St. Nazaire. which port was reached at 
8 130 a. m. 

The U. S. S. Edward Luckenbach was lying at anchor in the 
basin at St. Nazaire. The vessel had been coaled and supplied for 
the return to American shores. In the morning of May 14th the 
Edward Luckenbach waited for its troop passengers before setting 
sail. 

After the soldiers waited on the pier for some time the huge gang- 
planks were extended and the regiment started its march to the decks 
of the ship. The gang-planks were lifted at 11 a. m. The ship was 
loosened from its moorings and slowly piloted through the congested 
basin. Slowly the transport passed the draw bridge, through the 
locks and out into the wide expanse of bay. It was 2:10 p. m. when 
open water course was reached. 

The U. S. S. Edward Luckenbach carried 29 officers and 2,247 
enlisted men, including 14 officers and 1,338 men of the 311th Field 
Artillery'; 8 officers and 547 men of the 314th Machine Gun Battalion, 
and three casual companies. 

Capt. Perry Hall was the only Battery D officer able to find 
accommodation on the battery's transport. All the other officers had 



114 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

to wait for other transportation. Capt. A. L. Smith rejoined the re- 
giment at St. Nazaire and was assigned as regimental adjutant. He 
accompanied the troops on the Edward Luckenbach. 

Late in the afternoon on the day of set-saiHng the vessel was 
stopped to allow the pilot to be taken off into a sail boat. Mine 
sweepers were also let down on both sides the vessel. Without con- 
voy and with freedom of light at night the transport pushed its way 
through the waves that formerly were in the danger zone. The mine 
sweepers continued to comb the waves for any stray mine missiles 
that by chance might have still floated from war operations. 

No difficulty was encountered, however, and the danger zone 
once passed, the trip continued at an average rate of 9 knots an hour. 
The Edward Luckenbach was a 6100 ton cargo vessel converted into a 
transport for the Naval Overseas Transportation Service. It was 
manned by an American naval crew. The vessel was an oil burner 
and trouble was experienced with the engines, whereby the speed of 
the vessel was retarded. It was feared at times that the engines would 
give out before port was reached. Slow, but sure the troops were 
brought to friendly shores. 

It might be noted in passing that on the next trip made by the 
Edward Luckenbach as a transport, the vessel became crippled 
through the breaking of her port shaft and her main journal and 
had to be towed for 600 miles into the harbor at South Boston, Mass. 

Outside of the monotony, the trip was an uneventful one. The 
first two days were attended with fine weather and calm sea, but the 
third day a rain and wind storm developed. Bunks, down in the hatch, 
collapsed and things in general were topsy turvy all night. Sea sick- 
ness was rampant. It was a case of six meals a day for the next 
three or four turns of the clock — three down and three up. 

The high sea gales blew for several days in succession. Mess 
line was the only formation of the day while K. P.'s and Hatch clean- 
up were the only details furnished. 

After thirteen days on the water, land was sighted late in the 
afternoon of Tuesday, May 27th. It was a welcome sight to the 
soldiers to see New York's famous sky-line in the distance. A mist 
hung over the harbor and it was 5 p. m. when the outline of the 
Statue of Liberty became plainly discernible. As the Edward Luc- 
kenbach was piloted through the roadway of commerce that thronged 
the harbor, the U. S. S. Leviathan steamed majestically seaward, 
carrying a cargo of soldiers to France to relieve members of the 
Army of Occupation. 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS II5 

Following the triumphal entry into New York harbor, the vessel 
cast another anchor and remained undocked for the night. Thus the 
boys spent one night within the beam of Miss Liberty, whose draw- 
ing power had been distinct in memory for many a weary month in 
France. 

A big welcome had been planned for the soldiers on the Edward 
Luckenbach. One of the police patrol tugs, bearing the sign : "The 
Mayor's Reception Committee," came out to meet the transport. The 
river tug had as passengers a band, besides many friends and rela- 
tives of soldiers aboard the transport. A noisy welcome home was 
sounded as the patrol boat encircled the steamer several times. 

Cheers, and tears also, greeted the 311th boys when the Herman 
Caswell, a water front yacht, that had been chartered by three hun- 
dred excursionists from the Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre, and Scranton 
districts of Pennsylvania, encircled the Edward Luckenbach, with St. 
Ann's Band of Freeland, Penna., on board, playing "Home, Sweet 
Home." 

The three hundred excursionists, who had journeyed from the 
Anthracite fields of Pennsylvania to welcome the 311th boys, had a 
difficult time to locate the Edward Luckenbach. A 6 o'clock that 
night they sailed out to find the vessel, reported as advancing past 
Ambrose Channel. They traversed the entire waterfront, both on the 
North and East River sides, before the hospital ship Comfort located 
the transport by radio, up the Hudson. The excursion delegates 
stayed near the transport until dark. 

It was with rejuvenated spirits that the soldiers spent their last 
night on board the transport, lying in New York harbor. On Wed- 
nesday mornirg. May 28th, the troops debarked at Pier 6, Bush Ter- 
minal, Brooklyn. Only a few of the friends and relatives got to 
see the soldier boys at the terminal. While the soldiers lingered at 
the terminal, partaking of refreshments furnished by the Red Cross 
and the welfare associations, the crowds beat the ferry boat that carried 
the soldiers to Jersey City and formed two lines through which the 
boys passed to entrain for Camp Dix, N. J. 

Plans were under way to hold a Seventy-Ninth Division parade 
in Philadelphia, Penna., but the boys voiced protests against being held 
in camp, with the result that the work of putting the outfit through the 
process of sterilization and cootiization was expedited. 

After going through the "delouser" at Camp Dix, Battery D was 
moved to another section of barracks, near the discharge center. Cleri- 



Il6 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

cal details were sent to the discharge center, known as the "madhouse." 
each day, to assist in getting out the paper work for official discharge 
of the outfits scheduled for muster out before Battery D. 

Battery D was officially discharged from the United States Armv 
Service on May 30th, 1919. when all its members w-ere assigned to 
various discharge units. On May 30th the soldiers whose homes 
were in Western States, were detached from the battery to be sent to 
Western camps for discharge. 

Those who were scheduled to remain at Dix to receive their dis- 
charge papers, their pay and the $60 bonus, idled about the camp until 
Wednesday, June 4th, when they were called to the discharge center 
to be paid off. It required a long wait before the members of the 
casual detachments that once formed Battery D were admitted to the 
Central Records office. 

The soldiers "beat it" from camp as soon as they had the coveted 
discharge certificates. The outfit separated in driblets during the day. 
The first ones called got clear of military service in the morning, while 
others were not called until late that afternoon. 

By nightfall of June 4th, 1919, however, Battery D members, for 
the main part, were headed for HOME, to take up the thread of civil- 
ian life where they had severed it months before when they answered 
the call of selective service. 



THE 
LORRAINE CROSS 




THE 79th DIVISION INSIGNIA 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE CROSS OF LORRAINE 
Its Origin and Its Significance. 



(Extracts from a Document) 

Written from data furnished 

by 

E. F. HENRI VIARD 

B. A. Paris University 

Late London Correspondent of "Le Journal" 

Sometime Technical Translator to the Ordnance 

Department A. E. F. 



The Lorraine Cross, ofiicial insignia of the Seventy-Ninth Divi- 
sion, United States Army, was adopted shortly after the armistice 
was signed. 

Despite the fact that the Seventy-Ninth Division Artillery did 
not share in the fighting with the rest of the division, the artillerymen 
were accorded the privilege of wearing the emblem. 

In all its war operations, the Seventy-Ninth Division faced the 
enemy in Lorraine, the province which the United States was pledged 
to win back for France. 

Victory, in the face of stubborn opposition, crowned the etit'orts of 
the Seventy-Ninth Division. It was only appropriate, therefore, that 
the division should select as its emblem the ancient symbol of victory. 
The Lorraine Cross. 

The divisional insignia was worn on the left sleeve of the uniform 
blouse at the shovilder. 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS II9 

THE CROSS OF LORRAINE. 

A national emblem of the independent Duchy of Lorraine for 
centuries, and even now a distinctive cognizance of the Border Province 
of France, the double traverse cross, known as the Cross of Lorraine, 
forms part of the armorial bearings of no less than 163 noble families. 
And several military units engaged in the world war adopted the cross 
as an emblem. These units include, besides the Lorraine Detachment 
of the French Army, the Seventy-Ninth Division. 

Before its adoption as an emblem by the reigning house of Lor- 
raine, the double traverse cross had a long and interesting history. 
Important in the history of the development of the shape of the Cross 
with its two beams, the design being Byzantine and emblematic of the 
triumph of Christ over Death, are ancient double traverse crosses, 
each containing fragments of the Real Cross of the Crucifixion. They 
are preserved in different sections of France. 

The double traverse of the Cross of Lorraine comes from the 
substitution, for the Titulus, or inscription originally used to mark the 
Cross upon which Christ was crucified, of a plain horizontal arm. The 
origin of the double traverse cross is Eastern, and, students of the 
subject point out, it undoubtedly represents the Jerusalem Cross — the 
True Cross — with its main horizontal beam and the Titulus, repre- 
sented by a plain beam in the Cross of Lorraine. 

Reliquaries containing parts of the Red Cross upon which the 
Savior was crucified, including the reliquaries in Poitiers and Limoges, 
are double traverse in form. On an enamelled plate in the Treasury 
of Graz Cathedral, Hungary, the figure of Saint Helena, credited 
with the recovery of the True Cross, is represented draped in a dress 
which is emblazoned with a double traverse cross. 

The double traverse cross came to have its association with Lor- 
raine in 1477 after Rene II, reigning head of the Duchy of Lorraine, 
had defeated Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, at the Battle of 
Nancy. Rene was of the house of Anjou and the emblem had been 
known as the Cross of Anjou to earlier members of the house. 

Succession to the Duchy of Lorraine came to Rene II through the 
female line. His mother was Yolande of Anjou, daughter of Rene I. 
Through his father, Ferri of Vaudemont, Rene claimed descent from 
the Ancient dynasty of the Dukes of Lorraine, who traced their history 
to Gerard of Alsace, and who had ruled the Duchy uninterruptedly 
for almost four centuries. 



I20 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

At the time of the accession of Rene II, the neighboring Duchy 
of Burgundy was ruled by Charles the Bold, who made a reputation 
as a general and warrior. In the forwarding of his ambition for 
greater territory and more widespread authority, he had roused the 
enmity of Lorrainers. In 1476, following the accession of Rene II, 
the Duke of Burgundy laid seige to Nancy and took the city. 

Rene went abroad to hire troops, and, returning in the early days 
of 1477 with considerable forces, especially Italian and Swiss mer- 
cenaries, gave battle to Charles within sight of Nancy, whose soldier 
citizens sallied forth to his help. Despite their assistance, Rene might 
have lost the fight had it not been for Campo Basso, an Italian condet- 
tieri in the service of Charles the Bold. who. having some grudge 
against the latter and being bribed by the other side, went over to the 
Lorrainers at the critical moment. 

The Burgundians were cut to pieces. Charles the Bold, in trying 
to break away, was slain by a Lorraine officer who did not recognize 
him and who committed suicide when, the body of the famous Duke 
having been identified a couple of days later from an old scar behind 
the ear, he realized that it waS he who had killed "so great a Prince." 

The Battle of Nancy was not only the greatest event in the His- 
tory of Lorraine, but one of the most momentous in the History of 
France, and even of Europe. If Burgundy alone was defeated, three 
parties benefitted by the victory, namely ; Switzerland, for whom it 
meant final acquisition of independence ; the King of France, and the 
Duke of Lorraine. The disappearance of Charles the Bold ensured 
at one stroke the unity of France, which it rid of the last ever powerful 
vassal, and the independence of Lorraine. No doubt Louis XI would 
rather have been .the only profiteer by the death of his rival. No 
doubt, also, he meant to get hold of Lorraine and, as the event proved, 
laid hands shortly afterward on the Duchy of Bar and tried to prevent 
Rene II from coming into this comparatively small portion of Rene 
of Anjou's inheritance. But his wily plans were foiled by the very 
fact that, whatever his motives, he had made a show of fostering and 
supporting the Lorrainer against the Burgundian. Had Lorraine 
become a part of Charles the Bold's dominions, even the Mighty House 
of Austria would have been unable to keep it independent from France ; 
Henry II's efforts would have been exerted against Lorraine, and 
Lorraine it is that France would have occupied at the same time as the 
three bishoprics. Toul, Metz, and Verdun and before Alsace. France's 
inflvience made itself felt in the Duchy as early as 1552, but annexa- 
tion was put off until 1766. 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 121 

Not only did Rene IPs reign ensure the independence of Lorraine, 
but it secured the adjunction of Barrois, for there can be no doubt that 
the Duchy of Bar would have been annexed to France right away had 
not Charles \'III found it politic to give back the territory confiscated 
by his father, Louis XL as an inducement to Duke Rene II not to press 
his claims regarding such parts of Rene of Anjou's inheritance as 
Anjou and Provence which France wanted and secured out of the 
deal. 

Considering the importance of the Battle of Nancy in the eyes of 
Lorrainers. the historical value of the badge worn by their victorious 
ancestors at that famous fight is easily understood. That badge was 
a double traverse cross. We have Duke Rene II's own word for it. 
In the account of operation and conduct of the Battle of Nancy, dic- 
tated by the Duke himself to his secretary. Joannes Lud, we read: 
"And I had on my harness a robe of gold cloth, and the armour of my 
horse was also covered with gold cloth trappings and on the said robe 
and trappings were three white double traverse crosses." 

The Burgundian badge was the St. Andrew Cross. To dififeren 
tiate his men from their opponents, Rene II naturally thought of the 
conspicuously distinct double-traverse cross his grandfather Rene I 
had brought over from Anjou and made so much of. 

In another account of the battle, to be found in the Chronicle of 
Lorraine, written at very nearly the same time, the following passage 
occurs relating to the period of the fight when Campo Basso and his 
mercenaries went over from the Burgundian to the Lorraine side ; 
"They all tore off their St. Andrew crosses and put on the Jerusalem 
one, which Duke Rene was wearing." 

The Jerusalem Cross obviously is a misnomer, as proven by the 
context, the very next sentence of which reads : "And many of the 
Nancians, sallying from their city to take part in the pillage of the 
Bold One's Camp, were in great danger of being slaughtered by the 
Swiss and by their own countrymen because they had not the double 
traverse cross on them." Again in several other passages the cross is 
specifically described as a double traverse cross. 

January 5, 1477, w^as the birthday of the Cross of Lorraine. From 
that day, ceasing to be merely reminiscent of Anjou, the double tra- 
verse cross became the Lorraine National Emblem. 

Since the war in 1870-71, which resulted in the annexation of 
part of Lorraine to Germany, a significant use has been made of the 



122 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

old cross. Shortly after the signature of the Treaty of Frankfurt, i 
meeting of the inhabitants of Metz was held on Sion Hill. As a result 
of the meeting a marble monument was erected, having carved on it 
a broken Lorraine Cross. An inscription in local dialect was added, 
reading "C'namc po to jo" ('"Twill not be forever"). The world war 
ended in the realization of this prophecy. 

So the soldiers of the Seventy-Ninth Division can look at the 
insignia they have been privileged to wear and think of the memories 
associated with it. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

BATTERY D HONOR ROLL. 

CORPORAL FRANK McCABE— Plains. Pa., died January 24, 
1918, at the Base Hospital. Camp Meade, Md.. at 7.40 p. m., with an 
attack of acute rheumatism. Body was sent to Plains with a military 
escort. Buried in Plains. 

PRIVATE WILLIAM REYNOLDS— Pottsville, Pa., was killed 
by the explosion of a French field gun on the range at La Courtine. 
France, at 3 p. m. October 11. 1918. Buried in the American Military 
Cemetery at Camp La Courtine. October 12th. Grave No. 'i^'j. 

FIRST-SERGEANT JAMES J. FARRELL— Plains, Pa., died 
November 2. 1918, at the Base Hospital. Camp La Courtine. France, at 
4.30 p. m., with an attack of pneumonia. Buried in the American 
Military Cemetery at Camp La Courtine. November 4th. at 11 a. m. 
Grave No. 80. 

PRIVATE HORACE J. FARDON— Paterson, N. J., died 
November 4. 1918, at the Base Hospital, Camp La Courtine. France, at 
11.45 P- "i- from Influenza. Buried in the American Military Ceme- 
tery at Camp La Courtine, November 5th, at 11 a. m. Grave No. 82. 

PRIVATE FIRST-CLASS JOSEPH ALPHONSUS LOUGH- 
RAN — Hazleton, Pa., died November 5. 1918, at the Base Hospital, 
Camp La Courtine, France, at 6.55 p. m. with an attack of pneumonia. 
Buried in the x\merican Military Cemetery at Camp La Courtine 
November 6th, at 2 p. m. Grave No. 84. 

PRIVATE PATRICK J. DOOLING— Metuchen, N. J., died 
March 6, 1919, at Base Hospital No. 91 at Commercy, France, at 
11-40 p. m.. with broncho-pneumonia. Buried in the Post Cemetery at 
Commercy. Grave No. 172. 

CORPORAL GUY W. MORTIMER— Pottsville, Pa., died 
March 8, 1919, at Base Hospital No. 91, Commercy, France, at 4.55 
a. m. with broncho-pneumonia. Buried in the Post Cemetery at Com- 
mercy. Grave No. 167. 




PVT. 1 CL. JOSEPH A. LOUGHRAN 
Died in France. 




CEMETERY AT 

CAMP LA COURTINE 

Pvt. 1 CI. Conrad Balliet Standing at 

tlie Grave of Josepli A. Loughran. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

"ONE OF US." 

The following is a reproduction of extracts from an 
article written by the author of this volume, on the afternoon 
of November 6, 1918, following- the burial of Private Joseph 
A. Loughran, and published in the Standard-Sentinel, a daily 
newspaper of Hazleton, Pa., on December 11, 1918. 

In general the article expresses the bond of feeling each 
battery casualty called forth. 

"I have lost a friend; the United States has lost a good soldier; 
and Hazleton. Pennsylvania, has lost another flower of its noble man- 
hood — was the total of my thoughts this afternoon as I stood, one of 
a military escort, and saw the remains of Joseph A. Loughran con- 
signed to a resting place in the sacred soil of France. 

"He was truly 'One of Us'. To the military records he was known 
as a Private First Class, but to us he was 'Al,' one in common and 
ever affectionate. 

"Twenty of us. comrades-in-arms, all from the same city in dear 
old Pennsylvania, who formed the escort, listened in profound sympa- 
thy, as we, with the battery in line at our side, paid the last military 
honors to our deceased comrade. 

"The sun was shining serenely overhead ; all was calm and quiet 
as a moment of silent homage followed the last note of Taps sounded 
over the grave. 

"The casket, enshrouded in Old Glory, for which he endured and 
died, was lowered, but his soul, no one could doubt, had already winged 
itself to the portals of eternity; there to repose in well-earned rest, to 
ever serve his God as he served God and country his mortal while. 

"He died in the height of his development as a trained soldier. 
Although removed from the scene of actual warfare and listed as 
'Died of Disease' in the casualty records, not one of the thousands of 
the A. E. F. fallen on the field of battle suffered a more heroic or noble 
death. 

"He was prepared, ready and willing. Months of strenuous 
eff'ort spent in mastering the soldier game were cut short on the eve 
of material advantage to the cause, but the spirit of his endeavors 
lives in the heart of the outfit he served. It is the spirit, sometimes 
called morale, that is the decisive factor. 



126 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

"At the tomb of the dead the regimental chaplain vouched the 
fact that the departed soldier communed every Sunday of his army 
life. 

"In civil life, before entering the call of selectiveness, his worth 
and devoutness was well known to a large circle of friends. His mili- 
tary associations were none-the-less extensive and tender. 

"It was while doing his duty, along lines of communication as a 
member of the Battery Commander's Detail, on the range at La Cour- 
tine, that he fell a victim to pneumonia, resulting in early demise. 

"There are many incidents connected with the life of our fallen 
soldier and friend that could be extolled. But those who knew him 
need no words. His life .'^hines out as a true beacon. 

"The boys of the battery in which he served bow in heartfelt 
sympathy to his wife, parents, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends. 
He died, but his death has not been in vain. His spirit lives to cheer 
his comrades on to greater deeds of patriotism. His loved ones at 
home can be proud of 'Al.' He died every inch a man and patriotic to 
the core. 

"His grave was not neglected. The boys tenderly sodded its 
mound and placed a wreath of holly, plucked from the hills of Creuse, 
where he last roamed. The grave is marked with a wooden cross, on 
which is inscribed his name, rank, command, and to which is attached 
the soldier's identification disc. 

"It is grave No. 84 in the American cemetery, situated on a gentle 
slope of one of the picturesque hills of Creuse province, overlooking 
Camp La Courtine." 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

IN MEMORIAM. 

In the moment of laying aside the uniform there surged through 
the heart of every member of Battery D emotions too deep for words. 

The rainy days and nnul of France were at last a thing of the past. 
Yes, truly a thing of the past to those staunch comrades who survived 
not the ordeal to return home. 

Those who survived and returned home, have had an invaluable 
experience. With memories of those experiences there will always 
linger the thoughts and associations of departed comrades. 

As battery members they all toiled together in France for a com- 
mon cause. All shared the common thought of seeing the war period 
through bravely, then to return home, bigger, better and stronger as a 
soldier-citizen. 

The comrades of Battery D whose lives were cut short by the 
Grim Reaper when they were at the height of their development as 
trained soldiers, all cherished thoughts of getting back home. They 
gave expression to such thoughts in their letters home. 

Joseph A. Loughran, in a letter written to his parents just before 
he was stricken with the illness to which he succtimbed, wrote these 
words: "Save a couple of chairs for my wife and myself at the Xmas 
dinner table, for God willing we will surely be there." 

In another portion of the same letter Private Loughran wrote: 
"Oh, boy, won't it be great to get back home again after going through 
all the trials that I had. If any one told me a few years ago that I 
could go through what I have and still be as healthy as I am, I would 
not believe them. I am as healthy as an ox and weigh i8o pounds." 

Thus it is that thoughts of departed comrades stir emotions too 
deep for words ; emotions that flood the heart with memorials that 
will live on as silent tributes to the worth of those who gave up their 
lives while in the service of their country. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

FIRST BATTERY D STAFF. 

Officers. 

Captain Albert L. Smith 
1st Lieut. Arthur H. McGill 
2nd Lieut. Hugh M. Clarke 
2nd Lieut. Robert S. Campbell 
2nd Lieut. Frank F. Yeager 
2nd Lieut. Berkley Courtney 
2nd Lieut. Frank J. Hamilton 

Non-Commissioned Officers 

1st Sgt. William C. Thompson 
Supply Sgt. Merrill C. Liebensberger 
*Mess Sgt. Joseph A. Loughran 
♦Instrument Sgt. Lloyd E. Brown 
Signal Sgt. John M. Harman 



Hugh A. Coll 
William E. Ritter 



Sergeants. 

James M. Duffy 
James J. Farrell 



Abraham Kahn 
Earl B. Schleppy 



Joseph Conlon 
John C. Demcik 
Gerald F. Farrell 



Corporals. 

Edward J. Kane 
Harry T. Kenvin 
David B. Koenig 
John Koslap 



Frank McCabe 
Arthur D. Roderick 
Joseph Yeselski 



Edward Campbell 



Cooks. 

George A. Musial 
Charles A. Trostel 



August H. Genetti 



♦Deceased. 





^■^^■1 






/-"TW^^JW 


^^m ^..r-^., ■'■■■>■£ 



««■ Hi 

"''^^Mftiiiiiiiii 


1 


■L 

' p- ^^H *^ 

^H 1 



PVT. HORACE J. FARDON 

Died in France with Influenza. 

Buried in tlie American Military 

Cemetery at Camp La Courtine. 



GRAVE OF PVT. WM. REYNOLDS 

Section of the American Military 

Cemetery at Camp La Courtine. 

Pvt. Reynolds Was Killed by 

Gun Explosion. 




BARRACK AT CAMP LA COURTINE, 

FRANCE 

Battery D was Quartered in This 

Building While Under Intensive Train- 

irg at Range Practice Among the 

Hills of Creuse Department. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

BATTERY D OFFICERS. 

The followirg officers were associated with Battery D during its 
career, either as a unit of the New National Army, or as part of the 
United States Army, the classification of the combined regular and 
selected divisions : 

Captain Albert L. Smith, Pliiladelpliia, Pa. 
Captain Perry E. Hall, Springfield, N. J. 
First Lieutenant Hugh M. Clarke, Pittsburgh. Pa. 
*First Lieutenant Arthur H. McGill, New Castle, Pa. 
First Lieutenant Robert Lowndes, Elkridge, Md. 
First Lieutenant C. D. Bailey, Summit, N. J. 
First Lieutenant J. S. Waterfield, Portsmouth, Va. 
Second Lieutenant Frank F. Yeager, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Second Lieutenant Sidney F. Bennett, Ottawa, Canada. 
Second Lieutenant Berkley Courtney, Fullerton, Md. 
Second Lieutenant Leo C. Julian, Lakeland, Fla. 
Second Lieutenant Robert S. Campbell, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
♦Deceased. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

ROSTER OF BATTERY D. 



This list contains the names 
personnel of Battery D, who serv 
on the sailing list of the U. S. S. 

Marinus Abvahmse, Pvt., 

196 Washington St., Lodi, N. J. 

Eben C. Allen. Pvt.. 

Main St., Closter, N. J. 

Abel R. Anderson, Pvt., 

36 West 6th St., 

Ridgefield Park, N. J. 

John J. Anderson, Cpl., 
R. F. D., No. 1, Perth Amboy, N. J. 

Curran B. Armstrong, Pvt. 1 CI. 

Dreyton, N. D. 

Harold .T. Arnold. Cpl., 

456 E. Broad St., Hazleton, Pa. 

William E. Bachman, Pvt., 1 CI., 
120 West Fourth St., Hazleton, Pa. 

Conrad A. Balliet, Pvt., 1 CI., 

597 Lincoln St., Hazleton, Pa. 

Joseph T. Becker. Pvt., 1 Cl.-CpL, 

913 West 38th St., Chicago, 111. 

Louis F. Bracco, Pvt., 

156 Orient Way, Rutherford, N. J. 

Harold C. Bratt, Pvt., 1 CI., 
58 Cleveland St., Hackensack, N. J. 

Joseph Brazina, Pvt., 1 CI., 

127 Muir Ave., Hazleton. Hts., Pa. 

Cornelius Breen, Pvt., 

25 Hobart Place, Garfield, N. J. 

Thomas J. Brennan, Pvt., 1 Cl.-Cpl., 
R. F. D., Box 394, Pottsville, Pa. 

William F. Brennan, Cpl., 

713 W. Tioga St., Philadelphia, Pa. 

Leslie S. Brooks, Pvt., 1 CI., 

Box 60, Fort Edward, N. Y. 

Hugh P. Burke, Sgt., 

312 Wells Ave., Parsons, Pa. 

Alexander Calderwood, Cpl., 

Gwyneed Valley, Pa. 



and home-addresses of the enlisted 
ed overseas and whose names were 
Edward Luckenbach. 

Milton O. Campbell, Pvt., 

Box 65, Waldvi^ick, N. J. 



Jason Canfield, Cpl., 



Kenton, Ohio. 



James Cataldo. Cpl., 

191 S. Pine St., Hazleton, Pa. 

John Chardell. Cpl.-Sgt.. 

561 Garfield St., Hazleton, Pa. 

Hugh A. Coll, Cpl.-Sgt., 

627 N. Wyoming St., Hazleton, Pa. 

John L. Conley, Pvt.- 1 CI., 

501 E. Clenton St., Frankfort, Ind. 

Joseph E. Conlon, Cpl., 

22 Ulmer St., Hudson, Pa. 

Leo C. Connor. Pvt.. 1 CI. 

137 Center St., Ashland, Pa. 

James E. Corcoran, Pvt., 

470 Gregory Ave., Weehawken, N. J. 

Charles Cuttito, Cook, 

16 Avenue A, Lodi, N. J. 

William H. Decker, Jr., Pvt., 

277 Forest St., Jersey City, N. J. 

Frank De Graff, Pvt., 

192 Spring St., Lodi, N. J. 

Meyer Deitch, Pvt., 1 CI., 

858 Union Ave., Bronx, N. Y. 

Leo C. Delaney, Sgt., 

1327 Main St., Pittston, Pa. 

Philip Den Bleyker, Pvt., 

R. F. D., No. 1, Rohway, N. J. 

George Dorsey, Cpl., 

328 S. Keyser Ave., Scranton, Pa. 

Fred Downsbrough, Cpl., 

Box 153, Firthcliffe, N. Y. 

Albert Dransfield, Pvt., 

29 Wayne Ave., Paterson, N. J. 



13^ 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 



James M. Duffy, Sgt.-lst Sgt., 

224 Hollenback Ave., Parsons, Pa. 

James A. Durkin. Hs., 

77 Henry St., Plains, Pa. 

Adam O. Dyker, Pvt., 

196 Monroe St., Garfield, N. J. 

William Eilert, Pvt., 

Willow St., Moonachie, N. J. 

Arden C. Evans, Pvt. 1 CI., Cpl., 

R. F. D., No. 3, Benton, Pa. 

Thomas Evans, Pvt., 1 CI., 

1922 Cedar St., Anderson, Ind. 

Gerald F. Farrell, Pvt.-Cpl., 

78 E. Carey Ave., Plains, Pa. 

Walter R. Farrell, Pvt.-Sgt., 

Box 405, Kellogg, Idaho. 

Ermino (Buck) Favo, Pvt., 

16 Erving Place, Garfield, N. J. 

Victor J. Feinour, Pvt., 1 CI., 

Jacksonville, Pa. 

Leroy H. Fish, Pvt., 1 CI., 

30 Wren St., Pittston, Pa. 

Fred N. Fisher, Pvt., 1 CI., 

28 S. Front St., Minersville, Pa. 

Fav H. Freadhoff, Pvt.-Cpl., 

503 Third Ave., Sterling. 111. 

Howard C. Freitag, Pvt., 

Box 44, Fair View, N. J. 

Anthony J. Fritzen, S. Sgt., 

1724 Jackson St., Scranton, Pa. 

John M. Frye. Jr., Pvt., 1 CI., 

2519 S. 62nd St., W. Phila., Pa. 

Gomer P. Gealy, Pvt., 

634 N. Hyde Park Ave., Scranton, Pa. 

William R. Geiger, Pvt., 1 CI., 

South 2nd St., St. Clair, Pa. 

Charles W. Geiswait, Pvt., 

335 N. George St., Pottsville, Pa. 

Hugh A. Gildea, Cpl.-Sgt.. 

84 Merritt Ave., Plains, Pa. 



Christian Hagedoin, Pvt., 

28 Sicomac Lane, 
Midland, Park, N. J. 

Stephen A. Hurtz, Pvt, 

135 Ryerson Ave., Paterson, N. J. 

Curtis F. Home, Pvt., 

612 21st St., Windber, Pa. 

Patrick J. Hughes, Pvt., 1 CI., 

73 Second St., Paterson, N. J. 

Charles W. Hunt, Pvt., 

775 Dalton Ave., Pittsfield, Mass. 

Concetti Imbesi, Pvt., 1 CI., 

925 Scranton St. Scranton, Pa. 

Nels C. Jacobsen, Pvt., 

Farmont, Minn. 



Ollie S. Jay, Pvt. 



Waelder, Texas. 



John J. Jlosky. Pvt., 

49 William St., Englewood, N. J. 

Albert R. Johnson, Pvt., 1 CI., 

Kipp, Kansas. 

John E. Jones, Pvt., 1 CI., 

300 E. Beech St., Hazleton, Pa. 

Reggie L. Jones. Pvt., 

Pembroke, Ky. 

Charles L. Jourdren, Pvt., 

123 Elm Ave., Bogota, N. J. 

Charles Karsch. Pvt., 

Washington Ave., 

Little Ferry, N. J. 

James F. Kelly, Cpl., 

123 Burke St., Plains, Pa. 

John A. King, Cpl., 

515 Main St., Pittston, Pa. 

David B. Koenig. Cpl.-Sgt., 

533 Peace St.. Hazleton, Pa. 

Erik W. Kolmodin. Pvt.. 

39 Central Ave., 
Ridgefield Park, N. J. 

John Kontir Pvt., 1 Cl.-Cpl., 

538 Cleveland St., Hazleton, Pa. 



John Gripp, Pvt., 1 CL, 
938 Mt. Vernon Ave., Scranton, Pa. 

Michael Guresh. Pvt., 

R. F. D., No. 2, Box 18, Tamaqua, Pa. 



Anthony P. Lally, Pvt., 

Girardville, Pa. 

Charles C. Lang, Pvt., 

199 Wetmore Park, Rochester, N. Y. 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 



133 



Walter F. Licalzi, Pvt., 1 CL, 

131 Fulton Ave.. 
Astoria, L. I., N. Y. 

Joseph T. Loskill, C. M.. 

546 E. Broad St., Hazleton, Pa. 

Wasyl Lugowy. Pvt., 1 CI., 

221 Berner Ave., 
Hazleton Heights, Pa. 

Saverio Lupas, Hs., 

80 W. Carey Ave., Plains, Pa. 

Louis F. Maslakosky, Pvt., 1 CL, 

662 Lincoln St., Hazleton, Pa. 

Frank Miller, Pvt., 

Orchard St., Wortendyke, N. J. 

William C. Minnich. Pvt., 1 CL, 

202 E. Holly St., Hazleton, Pa. 

John J. Mooney, Pvt., 1 CL, 

1543 N. Morvine St., Phila., Pa. 

Thomas E. Morgan, Pvt., 

Ellendon, Fla. 

Joseph A. Morowitz, Pvt., 

22— 44th St., Corona, L. I. 

Daniel R. Mullery, Bg., 

1113 Main St.. Pittston, Pa. 

George A. Musial, Cook, 

47 E. Sheridan St.. Miners Mills, Pa. 

Joseph J. McAtee, Pvt., 1 CL, 

404 Schuylkill Ave., Pottsville, Pa. 

Bernard A. McCaffrey. Pvt., 1 Cl.,- 
CpL. 

R. F. D., Fisher's Hill, 

Hazleton, Pa. 

Joseph McCann, Pvt., 

10 Morton St., Paterson, N. J. 

John J. X. McGeehan, Pvt., 

116 S. Church St., Hazleton, Pa. 

Joseph T. McGovern, Pvt., 

507 N. 21st St., Phila., Pa. 

Herbert G. Nankivell, Mec, 

1520 Price St., Scranton, Pa. 

Walter A. Nebiker, Pvt., 

32 Wood St.. Garfield, N. J. 

Lewis Nedwood, Pvt., 

965— 2nd Ave.. 

Astoria, L. L, N. Y. 

Joseph E. O'Donnell, Pvt.-CpL, 

319 E. Walnut St., Hazleton, Pa. 



Joseph J. O'Donnell, Pvt., 

Kelayres, Pa. 

Stanley J. Ogrydiak, Sgt., 

655 Seybert St., Hazleton. Pa. 

Gennaro Paladino, Pvt., 

280 Harrison Ave., Lodi, N. J. 

Joseph C. Parella, Pvt.. 

21 5th Ave., Lyndhurst, N. J. 

Joseph H. Petrask, Pvt., 

6 S. Main St., Lodi, N. J. 

Herman Petrett, Pvt., 

Box 113, Waldwick. N. J. 

John Petrilla. Pvt., 

222 S. Bennett St., Hazleton, Pa. 

August C. Pfancook. Sgt., 

20 E. Tamarack St., Hazleton, Pa. 

Robert C. Phillips, CpL, 

Box 825, New Richmond, Wis. 

Harold V. Pierce, Pvt., 

Sunset Hill, Kansas City, Mo. 

Homer D. Pifer, Pvt., 

Rochester Mills, Pa. 

Arie J. Ploeger, Pvt., 

c/o Westbury Rose Co., 

Westbury, L. L 

Joseph Popso. Pvt. 1 CL, 
228 Carleton Ave., 

Hazleton Heights. Pa. 

Luke F. Proulx, Pvt.. 

929 Atwell Ave., Providence, R. L 

John S. Quade, Pvt. 1 CL, CpL, 

Lansdale, Pa. 

A Eli Quinett, 

607 N. Park St., Shawnee, Okla. 

Walter L. Reece, Pvt. 1 CL, 

425 S. Walker St., Webb City, Mo. 

Clinton Reese, Sgt.. 

323 N. Everett Ave., Scranton, Pa. 

John F. Reilly, Pvt., 

2843 Jasper St., Philadelphia, Pa. 

Charles M. Reisch, Pvt., 

238 Centre St., Ashland, Pa. 

Petro Repole, Pvt., 

351 West 47th St., New York City 



134 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 



Philip Rheiner, Pvt.,' 

89 N. 6th St., Paterson, N. J. 

Harry J. Ritzel, Pvt., 

428 W. Sunbury St., 

Minersville, Pa. 

Nathan Rosen, Pvt. 1 CL. 

48 N. Wyoming St., Hazleton, Pa. 

Grover C. Rothacker, Mec, 

37 E. Broad St., Hazleton, Pa. 

John E. Rowland, Pvt., 

130 Linden St., Yonkers, N. Y. 

Nathan Ruderman, Pvt., 

193 Scholes St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 

William H. Rudolph, Sd., 

171 S. Laurel St., Hazleton, Pa. 

Harry Scheiblin, Pvt., 

415 9th St., Carlstad, N. J. 

Earl B. Schleppy, Sgt., 

N. Church St., Hazleton, Pa. 

Alfred G. Schoonmaker, Jr., Cpl., 
33 Clinton Place, 

Hackensack, N. J. 

Alexander Seaton, Pvt., 

Hudson Heights, N. J. 

A. Ernest Shafer, Cpl., 

208 Markle Bank Bldg., 

Hazleton, Pa. 

Walter T. Shaw, Pvt., 

3520 Longshore St., 

Faconu, Phia., Pa. 

Raymond Sheldrake, Pvt., 

141 N. 4th St., Paterson, N. J. 

Albert J. Sheridan, Pvt, 

413 E. Norweigian St., 

Pottsville, Pa. 

William Seivers, Pvt., 

c/o Norwegian-American A. C. 
208 E. 128th St., New York City 

August H. Simmler, Jr., Pvt., 

149 Clinton St., Paterson, N. J. 

Ray S. Skidmore, Bg., 

153 Abbott St.. Miners Mills, Pa. 

Otto J. Skirkie, Jr., Pvt. 1 CI., 

Ridgefield Park, N. J. 

Edward J. Skrenda, Pvt., 

Smithville South, L. I., N. Y. 



Chares W. Smith, Pvt. 1 CI., 

226 Georgia Ave., Parsons, Pa. 

Albert W. Soule, Pvt., 

Musselshell, Mont. 

Charles L. Stark, Pvt., 

33 E. Thorton St., Akron, Ohio 

William C. Steidle, Pvt. 1 CI., 

711 E. Norweigian St., 

Pottsville, Pa. 

John R. Sweeney, Pvt., Cp., 

16 E. Birch St., Hazleton, Pa. 

John Sysling, Pvt., 

18 Grand St., Garfield, N. J. 

George M. Thompson, Pvt., 1 CI., Cpl,. 
571 Grant St., Hazleton, Pa. 

Michael A. Tito, Cpl., 

523 Seybert St., Hazleton, Pa. 

Edward G. Tracey, Pvt., 

1129 Sophie St., Philadelphia, Pa. 

Charles A. Trostel, Mess Sgt., 

1119 Jackson St., Scranton, Pa. 

Mattiejus Tuinali, Hs., 

1931 Albright Ave., Scranton, Pa. 

Charles S. Umbenhauer, Pvt. 1 CI., 
Box 56, First St., Port Carbon, Pa. 

Barney Van De Brink, Pvt., 

74 Hill St., Midland Park, N. J. 

♦Leonard J. Van Houton, Pvt., 

29 Hamburg Ave., Paterson, N. J. 

Wilbert Weber. Pvt. 1 C, 
146 Woodbine Ave., 

Toronto, Ont., Canada 

Harry L. Whitfield, Pvt. 1 CI., 

597 N. Locust St., Hazleton, Pa. 

William S. Willier, Pvt. 1 CI., 

Box 15, Hegins, Schuylkill Co., Pa. 



John A. Yanoshik, Pvt., 



Lofty, Pa. 



Frank Yeosock, Cpl., Sgt., 

285 River St.. Coalridge, Pa. 

Frederick D. Young, Mec. 

1516 Market St.. Ashland. Pa. 

♦Leonard Joseph Van Houten died 
at his home in Paterson, N. J., on 
October 7, 1919, four months after 
discharge from Battery D. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

RECORD OF BATTERY TRANSFERS. 

As previously recorded in this volume, a large number of men 
were transferred from the ranks of Battery D during the period of 
organization. Scores of others also left the battery during the latter 
days of its existence. No official record in consise form exists of the 
scores of transfers effected during the first few months of the battery's 
history. 

The following list gives information of transfers that a thorough 
search of the records now reveals. It is the most accurate list that can 
be compiled under the circumstances. 

GAINED COMMISSIONS. 

The following members of Battery D were transferred from the 
outfit as successful applicants to officers' training schools. All were, 
in the course of time commissioned as lieutenants. Messrs. Sword 
and McAloon were commissioned in France, while the others attended 
training schools in the United States. 

William C. Thompson, Jackson, Miss. Edward J. Kane, Plains, Pa. 
Merrill C. Liebensberger, Hazleton, Pa. Willard P. Jones, Scranton, Pa. 
Harry T. Kenvin, Hazleton, Pa. Joseph B. McCall, Philadelphia, Pa 

Thomas S. Pengelly, Hazleton, Pa. William O. Sword, Parsons, Pa. 

John M. Harman, Hazleton, Pa. Timothy McAloon, Scranton, Pa. 

John G. Young, of La Grange, Ga., serving with Battery D in 
rank of corporal, was promoted to sergeant during September, 1918. 
at La Courtine, then left the battery for the A. E. F. Artillery School 
at Saumur. He was made a "third lieutenant" of coast artillery Janu- 
ary, 1919, and returned to Battery D the latter part of January of the 
same year at Benoite Vaux. Early in February he was sent to the 
field hospital at Chaumont Perlitte and sailed for the U. S. from Brest. 
April loth as hospital patient. On May ist Young was transferred to 
Camp Gordon, Ga., and made iirst-sergeant of a convalescent batta- 
lion. On January 1st, 1920, First Sergeant Young was made Army 
Field Clerk and transferred to Newport News and Norfolk. Army 
Supply Base. He was discharged from the service, March 12th, 1920. 

SENT To TEXAS CAMP. 

On February 5, 1918, Battery D was called upon and furnisheil 
the following men for service wnth the Fifth Artillery Brigade at 
Camp Leon Springs, Texas : 



136 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

John E. Bayarsky, Hazleton, Pa. Bernard A. McKenna, Hazleton, Pa 

Frederick J. Boddin, Hazleton, Pa. Frank J. Monahan, Plains, Pa. 

Anthony Correale, Hazleton, Pa. Joseph Smith, Freeland, Pa. 

Karl L. Lubrecht, Hazleton, Pa. Earl G. Spitzner, Harleigh. Pa. 

Alfonso Lupattelli, Scranton, Pa. Stephen J. Thompson, Hazleton, 
James J. McDermott, Freeland, Pa. Pa. 

Edward V. McGee. Hazleton. Pa. George H. Throne, Hazleton, Pa. 

John McGrady, Plains, Pa. John M. Tusko, Hazleton, Pa. 

JOINED KEYSTONE DIVISION. 

Battery D sent a nttmber of men to the 28th Division at Camp 
Hancock, Ga., who joined with the Keystoners on the eve of departure 
for overseas. This transfer included : 

Patrick J. Campbell, Freeland, Pa. William E. Ritter, Plains, Pa. 

Edward T. Edgerton, Plains, Pa. Henry L. Schleppy, Hazleton, Pa. 

William H. Ringlaben, Jr., West Joseph Welky, Hazleton, Pa. 
Hazleton, Pa. 

ASSIGNED AS ENGINEERS. 

On January 28, 1918, the following men were transferred from 
Battery D to the 304th Engineers at Camp Meade : 

Bernard A. Malloy, Hazleton, Pa. Harry R. Schmeer, Hazleton, Pa. 

Day M. Roth, Hazleton, Pa. Paul W. Schmeer, Hazleton, Pa. 

John Shigo, Freeland, Pa. 

The 19th Engineers at Camp Meade received in its personnel on 
February 15, 1918, from Battery D: 
James A. Kenney, Plains, Pa. Clark Burt, Plains, Pa. 

The February Replacement Draft at Meade took several Battery 
D men from the engineers, as follows : 

Condidio Gentelezza, Scranton, Pa. Harry A. Nelson, Plains, Pa. 

Orelio Rosi, Plains, Pa. 

TO DEPOT BRIGADE. 

While preparations for departure overseas were under way trans- 
fers were made to the various training battalions of the 154th Depot 
Brigade, as follows : 

John C. Demcik, Hazleton, Pa. Francis A. Kenney, Scranton, Pa. 

August H. Genetti, Hazleton, Pa. Thomas Murray, Plains, Pa. 

Michael V. Hughes, Plains, Pa. Peter Sasarack, Jr.. Hazleton, Pa. 

Abraham Kahn, Hazleton, Pa. Frederick L. Smith, 2nd, Hazleton, 

Pa. 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 137 

A number of these men were reassigned to other units. Michael 
V. Hughes was assigned to the 79th Divisional Staff and accompanied 
the division overseas. Frederick L. Smith, 2nd, was assigned to spe- 
cial duty as a chemist. Thomas Murray was seriously ill at the Camp 
Meade base hospital when the outfit departed. 

John Dempsey and George D. Vogt. both of Hazleton, Pa., were, 
on March 17, 1918, assigned to the Q. M. C. school for cooks and 
bakers at Camp Meade. 

TO REGIMENTAL SUPPLY CO. 

Transfers were made to the 311th F. A. Supply Co., as follows: 

George Kolessar, Hazleton, Pa. Stanley Reese, Hazleton, Pa. 

Christy McAvaney, Scranton, Pa. Harry B. Stair, Mt. Top, Pa. 

George Novotney, Hazleton, Pa. Joseph Yeselski, Hazleton, Pa. 

CHANGES AT BENOITE V.\UX. 

A number of changes in the battery roster were necessitated at 
Benoite Vaux, France, due to men being sent to hospitals for sickness. 
Some left to attend schools, while Philip J. Cusick, of Parsons, Pa., 
received word through the Red Cross of his early discharge due to the 
death of his father. 

The transfers at Benoite \'aux included the following: 

Howard A. Bain, Kansas City, Mo. Reed F. Huling, Charlestown, W. 
Thomas A. Davis, Scranton, Pa. Va. 

Philip J. Cusick, Parsons, Pa. Clarence V. Smith, Hazleton, Pa. 

Stuart E. Prutzman, Palmerton, Pa. Arthur A. Jones, Boundbrook, N. J. 

Joseph Silock, Hazleton, Pa. Charles E. King, Pottsville, Pa. 

Harry Dauberman, Lawrence, Kansas. John Verchmock, Hazleton, Pa. 

Michael V. McHugh, Hazleton, Pa. Charles Nace, Philadelphia, Pa. 

Anthony Esposito, Hackensack, N. J. Arthur Van Valen, Englewood, N. J. 
James F. Burns, Pottsville, Pa. 

OTHER TRANSFERS. 

Joseph Delosaro and John Sharawarki, both of Hazleton, Pa., 
were discharged from Battery D February 5th and 14th respectively, 
for physical disabilities. 

Carl G. Brattlof, of Newark, N. J., was assigned to the 154th 
Brigade Headquarters, Dec. 1918. 



138 THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS 

James J. Gillespie, of Hazleton. Pa., Feb. nth, 1918, was trans- 
ferred to the Railway Transportation Corps. 

George F. Haniseck, James F. McKelvey and Mathew Talkouski. 
all of Hazleton, Pa., May 31st, 1918, were sent to join the U. S. 
Guards, Fort Niagara, N. Y. 

John F. Kehoe of Hazleton, Pa., Feb. 3, 1918, was transferred to 
Headquarters Bn. G. H. Q. A. E. F., France. He left Camp Meade 
February 27th, being the first man from the organization to get over- 
seas. 

Otto Kopp. of Hazleton, Pa., transferred June i, 1918, to Head- 
quarters Co., 311th F. A. 

Donald H. Durham, of Newark, N. J., and R. L. Krah, of Lavelle, 
Pa., were transferred to the regimental Headquarters Co., while in 
France. 

William M. Powell, Jr., of Hazleton, Pa., February 5th, 1918, 
assigned to the Ordnance Depot Co., No. loi. Camp Meade. 

On ()ctober 12, 1918, Raymond Stegmaier, of Jamaica. N. Y., 
was detached from the battery on special duty as orderly to Lieut. - 
Col. Palmer. 

William \'an Campen, of Ridgewood. N. J., was injured by an 
explosion of a hand-grenade on Nov. 5, 1918. The following day he 
was sent to Base Hospital No. 24 at Limoge. Nicholas J. Young, of 
Pottsville, Pa., was transferred to the same hospital, ( Jctober i6th, fol- 
lowing the gun explosion at La Courtine. 

David L. Grisby, of Terre Haute, Ind., w^as transferred to Base 
Hospital No. 15 to undergo an operation. He left the battery at Ville 
sous La Ferte on November 22nd. 

Charles A. Weand, of Pottsville, Pa., Nov. 30, 1918. was sent to 
Base Hospital No. 11, A. P. O. 767, France. 

Henry J. Buhle, of New Brunswick, N. J., was sick in the hos- 
pital at La Courtine when the regiment left the artillery range, in 
France, November 14, 1918. 



the; delta of the triple elevens 139 

Carl J. O'Malia, of Scranton, Pa., and Frederick M. Bowen, of 
East Rutherford, N. J., were patients at the hospital in Rimaucourt 
when the outfit left Blancheville, France. 

Arthur D. Roderick, of Hazleton, Pa., and William R. Jones, of 
Bergenfield, N. J., became detached from the battery while on leave. 
They were taken ill in Paris and sent to a hospital in the French 
metropolis. 

Edward Campbell, of Hazleton, Pa., one of the battery cooks, 
remained at the embarkation camp at St. Nazaire. France, to take 
charge of camp bakery. Cook Campbell returned to the States the 
latter part of July. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

PERSONALITIES. 

September 20, 1918, Adam O. Dyker was re-christened "Honey- 
Bee" Dyker. The event took place in a rather stinging manner at 
Camp La Courtine, France. 

On the night in question Private Dyker was on guard duty at the 
battery kitchen, which was situated under a canvas roof in a locaHty 
that was infested at that particular time with bees and yellow jackets. 

While walking his post at the midnight hour Dyker thought of a 
can of strawberry jam that he knew the cooks had deposited in a 
certain place. Groping his way through the dark Dyker found the can 
of preserves, also a spoon, and immediately started to fill a sweet tooth. 

In a short time the entire battery guard was aroused by a dis- 
tressing cry from one of the outposts. At first it was difficult to deter- 
mine whether the call was from a 311 Regiment post or a 312th Regi- 
ment post. 

The question was soon settled, however, when Dyker appended to 
the customary outpost call the designation of both the battery and the 
regiment, and added these words, "For God's sake hurry up. I'm all 
bee'd up." 

The jam which he devoured was full of bees and yellow jackets. 
While the humor of the incident appealed to the boys of the battery, 
all sympathized with the unfortunate guard, who had an agonizing 
time of it in the camp hospital for several weeks as a result of eating 
honey-bees. 

* * * * 

Shortly after the armistice was signed John J. Jlosky drank too 
much cognac and fell out of line at retreat one night. He was ordered 
to report at the battery ofifice. When asked why he did not stand at 
attention he replied to Lieut. Bailey: "How do you expect a man to 
stand at attention with sand-paper underwear on?" 

The battery had just been issued woolen underwear that day. 

-r ^ 'T' T^ 

In recalling stable-police duty at Camp Meade. Md., there is one 
incident that always amused Bill Powell. Here's the story in his own 
words : 

"After the usual morning duties as stable police. 'Mad Anthony' 
assigned me to load a wagon of manure. After struggling with it for 



THE DELTA OE THE TRIPLE ELEVENS I4I 

perhaps an hour I felt extremely proud of the transferrence of the 
large amount of material from the ground to the wagon. I was then 
ordered to go with the driver. I thought this pretty soft. It was a 
zero day and I soon found that I was mistaken. We were on our way 
to unload the manure in flat cars. 

"When we got to Disney, half frozen, the driver disappeared to 
a position near a roaring log fire and I commenced to unload. Here's 
where I realized the advantage of being a driver. 

"While resting I noticed another wagon being unloaded nearbv 
with a detail of three negroes doing the heaving. This got my ire, and 
when I got back I looked up 'Mad Anthony' and related what I had 
seen. 

" 'Mad y\nthony' looked at me and replied, 'Hell, isn't one white 
man as good as three niggers ?' 

"Not wishing to admit differently I left — satisfied." 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

A FEW GENERAL ORDERS. 

"I desire to express to all the men with whom I was fortunate 
enough to serve, sincere thanks for their universal loyalty and cour- 
tesy to me and the other officers who were with me. It was difficult 
during the active life of the battery to express to its members the 
affection I felt for them collectively and individually, and the high 
personal regard I had for them all, both as soldiers and friends. 

"We were never fortunate enough to be called into action, but at 
all times, I am sure, that all those who came in contact with Battery 
D felt that its personnel could be depended upon to do the right 
thing at the right time. We all had our blue moments, but, wherever 
we may go, or whatever we do, the spirit of Battery D and the friend- 
ships we made will help us. 

"Let me conclude by wishing a life of health, happiness and suc- 
cess to all my old friends in Battery D, and may I further add that, 
in looking back, I could have no greater wish than to feel that their 
friendship and respect for me could be as great as the friendship and 
respect I hold for them all." 

Capt. a. L. Smith. 
"Stepping Stones," Gwynedd \'alley. Pa., 1920. 

"I had the good fortune to serve with the best Battalion of Field 
Artillery in the United States Army — the Second Battalion, 311th 
F. A." 

Major D. A. Reed. 
909 Amberson Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa., 1920. 

"My memories of Battery D are the most pleasant of my army 
experiences. I know that your book will fulfill the very definite need 
for a complete and accurate account of the experiences and travels 
of the members of the battery." 

Capt. Perry E. Hall. 
Springfield, N. J., 1920. 

"It would indeed be most regrettable should there be nothing 
permanent to remind us of those ties of friendship, far greater than 
those of organization, which bound us together for the greater part 



THE DELTA OF THE TRIPLE ELEVENS I43 

of two years. The recollection of the wonderful spirit and morale of 
those with whom we were so intimately associated must ever brinj^ 
back that old feeling of just pride which we all felt in our battery." 

Lieut. Frank J. Hamilton. 
4822 N. Camac St.. Philadelphia, Pa., 1920. 

"The happiest days of my life were spent in the 311th F. A. and one 
of my best friends is Captain Smith of Battery D." 

Lieut. -Col. Herbert B. Hayden. 
Army & Navy Club, Washington. D. C, 1920. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

MEMORABLE DATES. 
1918. 

July 13— Left Camp Meade, Md., U. S. A. 

July 14 — Set sail from Port Richmond, Philadelphia, Pa. 

July 17 — At anchor in Halifax harbor. Nova Scotia. 

July 20 — Left Halifax bound overseas. 

July 30 — Battle with German U-Boats. 

July 31 — Landed in Barry. South Wales. 

August 3 — Hiked to Southampton, England. 

August 4 — Landed in Cherbourg, France. 

August 5 — Left Cherbourg via rail. 

August 7 — Arrived in Montmorillon. 

September 4 — Left Montmorillon via box car. 

vSeptember 4 — Arrived at La Courtine. 

November 14 — Left La Courtine via box car. 

November 16 — Detrained at La Tracey. 

November 16 — Landed in \'ille sous La Ferte. 

November 26 — Left Ville sous La Forte via motor train. 

November 26 — Arrived at Blancheville. 

December 19 — One hundred left on horse convoy. 

December 25 — Mule convoy arrived at Scirey les Mareilles. 

1919. 

January 9 — Left Blancheville mounted. 

January 13 — Arrived at Benoite Vaux. 

March 19 — Trip by road to Boncourt. 

April I — Left Boncourt mounted. 

April 3 — Arrived in Cirey Les Mareilles. 

April 12 — Materiel turned in at Andelot. 

April 19 — Entrained at Rimaucourt. 

April 21 — Arrived at St. Nazaire. 

May 14 — Set sail for LTnited States. 

May 27 — Arrived in New York harbor. 

May 28 — Debarked at Bush Terminal, Brooklyn. 

May 28 — Arrived in Camp Dix, N. J. 

May 30 — Battery officially discharged. 

June 4 — Discharge papers distributed. 

FINIS. 



